Swiatek fights back against Kanepi, will face Collins in semifinals

Former French Open champion Iga Swiatek has improved on her stellar record against players ranked outside the top 30 at Grand Slam tournaments with a 4-6, 7-6 (2), 6-3 win over Kai Kanepi to advance to the semifinals.

The 36-year-old Kanepi is ranked 115th but was playing in her seventh Grand Slam quarterfinal and was coming off an upset win over No. 2-ranked Aryna Sabalenka.

Swiatek will play American Danielle Collins in the semifinals on Thursday night.

Collins reached the semifinals in Australia in 2019.

The 20-year-old Swiatek, the 2020 champion at Roland Garros, is in the last four at Melbourne Park for the first time.

Swiatek has 30 wins in 32 matches against those ranked outside the top 30 in majors and also improved her record to having reached the fourth round at her past six Grand Slam tournaments.

Swiatek said she's expecting a tough match from Collins.

“For sure it’s going to be hard, and she’s in great shape, you can see that, and really like confident," Swiatek said of her American opponent. “But I also feel that way. I just hope it’s gonna be a good match."