When Elisabetta Cocciaretto launched a service winner out vast to carry serve for 1-3 within the first set in opposition to Iga Swiatek on Sunday in Rome, it appeared that she is perhaps entering into the match.
As a substitute, it was the start of the top.
Enjoying with readability and aggression, three-time Rome champion Swiatek reeled off the subsequent 9 video games to say a 6-1, 6-0 win and guide a fourth-round conflict with Naomi Osaka.
“I simply needed to be strong and concentrate on myself, it doesn’t matter what the rating was,” Swiatek stated. “I actually appreciated how I performed immediately – my serve was good and I used to be opening up the courtroom.”
Swiatek wanted simply 65 minutes to wrap up her twenty third match victory in Rome in opposition to simply three losses. She is into the spherical of 16 for the fifth time.
She is going to face Naomi Osaka subsequent in Rome. The pair final met at Roland-Garros in 2024, with Osaka holding a match level earlier than falling in an epic first-round encounter. Swiatek has gained two of three total in opposition to the Japanese star, together with her final two matches in opposition to the four-time Grand Slam champion.
“We performed rather a lot,” Swiatek stated. “I do know what she will be able to deliver and the way properly she will be able to play when she feels the ball – I’ll be prepared.”
Swiatek hit 17 winners to only 5 for Cocciaretto in a match whose scoreline was a carbon copy of final yr’s second-round assembly in Rome. Swiatek gained 62 p.c of her return factors and saved all three break factors she confronted.
The Italian tried desperately to get a sport within the second set, and earned three break factors as Swiatek served at 5-0, however the Pole saved all of them and completed off the match.
Swiatek has now gained 10 bagel units at Rome. In accordance with Opta Sports activities, solely three gamers – Chris Evert, Serena Williams and Gabriela Sabatini have gained extra.
