WTA roundup: Iga Swiatek earns milestone win at Bad Homburg

Bad Homburg Open Round of 16 Recap

Poland’s fourth seed Iga Świątek edged former world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka 6–4, 6–4, marking her 300th career tour-level win and her first triumph on grass this season. After dropping the first four games, Świątek rallied by tightening her first serve—winning 77 percent of points on it—and seizing four of eight break chances. She also saved four of six break points, showcasing the mental toughness that has defined her championship runs on slower surfaces.

Top seed Jessica Pegula advanced with a 6–2, 6–3 victory over Katerina Siniaková, dominating rallies with her deep, penetrating groundstrokes and converting three of five break opportunities. Italian second seed Jasmine Paolini won a pair of tense tiebreakers 7–6 (8), 7–6 (6) against Leylah Fernandez, displaying clutch serving under pressure on key points.

Fifth seed Emma Navarro continued her breakthrough year by ousting four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka 6–4, 6–4, mixing aggressive shotmaking with timely defense. Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia also moved on, defeating Ashlyn Krueger 6–1, 6–4 to book a quarterfinal clash with Pegula.

Lexus Eastbourne Open Round 1 Recap

Czech second seed Barbora Krejčíková survived a marathon against British wild card Harriet Dart, saving two match points at 5–4 in the decider before prevailing 6–3, 6–7 (4), 7–5 in 2 hours 40 minutes. Krejčíková’s five aces and six of seven converted break points underscored her grass-court prowess and Wimbledon champion pedigree.

Home favorite Emma Raducanu bounced back from a first-set tiebreak loss to down Ann Li 6–7 (5), 6–3, 6–1, capitalizing on her early returns and aggressive baseline play. Third seed Jelena Ostapenko dispatched Sonay Kartal 6–3, 7–6 (2), leveraging her heavy forehand to control the match, while sixth seed Peyton Stearns cruised 6–3, 6–4 past Mingge Xu with an efficient mix of serve-and-volley tactics.

Australia’s Kimberly Birrell pulled off the marquee upset, taking out fourth seed Sofia Kenin 6–4, 6–4 with disciplined second-serve points and timely passing shots. Fifth seed Magda Linette retired trailing Dayana Yastremska 6–4, 4–2, as the Ukrainian’s powerful baseline strokes proved decisive. Eighth seed Rebecca Šramková and Britain’s Jodie Burrage each won in straight sets, while Kamilla Rakhimova and Varvara Gracheva extended their matches to three sets before sealing victories.

For bettors tracking serve efficiency, breakpoint conversion and momentum shifts on grass courts, Sportshub’s 5 Important Tips for Betting on Tennis breaks down the key metrics that can turn these early rounds into winning wagers.