By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Saturday March 27, 2021
Croatia's Ana Konjuh topped Iga Swiatek to keep her eye-catching run going in Miami.
Photo Source: Miami Open
Ana Konjuh is officially on the rise! The 338-ranked Croatian, who is still making her way back to the tour after undergoing four surgeries to her right elbow, notched a stunning 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 victory over Iga Swiatek on Saturday to book her spot in the round of 16.
The 23-year-old former World No.20, who defeated Katerina Siniakova for her first WTA win since 2018 in the opening round, and overcame Madison Keys for her first Top 20 win since 2017 in the second round, grabbed another Top 20 win on Saturday with a resilient victory over the 2020 Roland-Garros champion.
She says it was the fighting spirit that got her through.
"I've been facing these really important matches all throughout my comeback. I'm real happy to have this chance and opportunity to be back and competing on such a high level."
The triumph marks the first time that Konjuh has notched three successive wins on tour since 2017.
Konjuh cracked 10 aces and broke Swiatek four times on 14 opportunities. She won 71.4 percent of her first-serve points and finished her victory in two hours and 14 minutes.
"I just appreciate things much more right now," Konjuh said. "You know, when you are just hitting the ball and there is a possibility that you might never play again or that you might never be on this level, so you just kind of put things in perspective. Yeah, it means a lot to me right now."
Konjuh hit 40 winners against 18 unforced errors in the contest.
More notes and quotes to follow…