Post by : Bianca
Haleem
Iga Swiatek showcased a fierce performance against American fifth seed Jessica Pegula, winning 6-1, 6-2 to advance to the semi-finals of the WTA 1000 Italian Open held in Rome on Wednesday.
The fourth seed from Poland and six-time Grand Slam champion began the match powerfully, amassing a 5-0 lead before Pegula found the board. Throughout, Swiatek dictated play, conceding only three games total.
The second set mirrored the first, with Swiatek maintaining her momentum from the baseline and sealing her victory with ease. She tallied 15 winners against Pegula's six, showcasing her comprehensive dominance in this contest.
This match marked Swiatek's first win against a top-10 player this season, indicating a revitalization in her performance after starting to work with former Rafael Nadal coach, Francisco Roig.
Post-match, Swiatek expressed her confidence and control throughout the match, stating she was pleased with her execution under pressure.
This victory serves as a significant milestone for Swiatek as she gears up for the French Open, set to commence on May 24. Her goal is to secure a fifth title at Roland Garros and maintain her excellence on clay.
Her route in Rome has been facilitated by the early exit of world number one Aryna Sabalenka, who lost to Sorana Cirstea. With this outcome, Swiatek now has a stronger chance to claim her first clay-court title since winning the French Open in 2024.
In the semi-finals, Swiatek will compete against the winner of the match featuring Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina and Elina Svitolina.
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