World number one Iga Swiatek eased through to the quarter-finals at Indian Wells with a straight sets win over Kazakhstan's Yulia Putintseva.

Poland's Swiatek needed one hour and 12 minutes to seal a 6-1 6-2 win.

The 22-year-old will next play former world number one Caroline Wozniacki, who beat Angelique Kerber 6-4 6-2.

For Wozniacki, who came out of retirement last year, it will be a first WTA 1,000 quarter-final since 2019.

Wozniacki retired in January 2020 but returned last August after giving birth to her two children.

"I don't take anything for granted," said the 33-year-old Dane. "I took a long time off, more than three and a half years - for me to be back here on this court and playing against the best players in the world is a special feeling.

"I'm just enjoying myself and I'm just thrilled that I get another match in front of all of you guys."

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Wozniacki added that she will have to play her "best tennis to compete" with Swiatek.

"I think I have obviously commentated some of her matches," she said. "I know how she's playing. Obviously she's playing good tennis, playing powerfully.

"I practised with her as well a few times after I have come back, during the US Open as well. I know how she plays, but it's one thing knowing how she plays and also playing against her in a full match."

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Also in California, 16th seed Elina Svitolina lost 6-1 4-6 6-3 to American Emma Navarro, while her Ukrainian compatriot Marta Kostyuk reached the last eight with a 6-4 6-1 over Russia's Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.

Kostyuk will face Russia's Anastasia Potapova, who beat Italian 13th seed Jasmine Paolini 7-5 0-6 6-3.

Source: BBC 

BDST: 1018 HRS, MAR 14, 2024
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