Swiatek into Warsaw quarters as Muchova crashes out

Poland's Iga Swiatek returns the ball to Claire Liu of the US during their round of 16 match at the Poland Open tennis tournament in Warsaw Thursday. (AP)

• World No. 1 Swiatek swept aside Claire Liu of the US 6-2, 6-2
• Muchova has struggled since finishing runner-up to Swiatek at Roland Garros

WARSAW: Iga Swiatek eased into the quarterfinals of her home WTA tournament on Thursday while Karolina Muchova, the woman she defeated in the French Open final, crashed out after squandering four match points.

World No. 1 Swiatek swept aside Claire Liu of the US 6-2, 6-2.

It was Swiatek’s fourth win in four meetings against Liu, three of which have come this year.

Second seed Muchova, ranked 18 in the world, was upset by Slovak qualifier Rebecca Sramkova 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 after failing to convert on a 5-1 lead and four match points in the third set.

Muchova has struggled since finishing runner-up to Swiatek at Roland Garros.

She was knocked out in the first round at Wimbledon to world No. 103 Jule Niemeier of Germany.