The World No. 1, two Americans and a qualifier in the San Diego semifinals

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SAN DIEGO, Calif. – However the draw shook out, given the quality of field, the San Diego Open semifinals were almost surely going to be quality.

There were just too many good players involved for it not to, even if upsets decimated the original 32.

There was some of that, of course. Especially in the qualifying, where some top 30 players were shocked out of the event (mostly, by American players – notably Robin Montgomery).

And even if No. 2 seed Paula Badosa fell in the quarters Friday night, the final four features:

The world No. 1
Two Americans – one in the top 10, one who has been in the top 10 this year
An experienced qualifier capable of playing spoiler against anyone, in Donna Vekic.

The match between No. 1 Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff was fairly highly anticipated Friday.

But in the end, much to Gauff’s disappointment, the result wasn’t a whole lot different when their Roland Garros final in June.

Swiatek prevailed 6-0, 6-3.

The 18-year-old is now 0-4 against Swiatek. And she was a trooper – a real pro – to come out and do post-match press.

As for Swiatek, she’s just keeping on keeping on, just doing the thing that has brought her so much success in 2022.

Late at night, American Danielle Collins had some challenges with her neck – again.

She explained after her win over No. 2 seed Badosa that it was a disc problem. And that it was always sort of there – better at times, worse at others.

Here’s what the had to say.

Saturday’s semifinals – as you can see – have been delayed some with rain that began to fall after Jessica Pegula took the first set from Swiatek.

Collins will play Vekic later on. Once the rain ended and the courts were tried, Collins and Vekic got in two games before another long rain delay.

And then Gauff – and Pegula – were scheduled ot return to the court for doubles.