Iga Świątek showcased her clay court mastery once again as she effortlessly advanced to the third round of the WTA 1000 tournament in Rome. The Polish player, a two-time champion in the Italian capital, delivered a dominant performance against Bernarda Pera, clinching a resounding 6-0, 6-2 victory.
Thursday’s match encountered substantial delays due to unpredictable weather conditions. However, once Świątek, the World No.1, took to the court, her intention to swiftly assert control became palpable, aiming to conserve energy for subsequent matches. In just half an hour, Świątek asserted her dominance with a commanding 6-0 lead.
The second set hinted at a comparable outcome for Pera initially, but the American posed a more formidable challenge. The turning point occurred at 2-1 in favour of Świątek. Amidst Pera’s serve, the WTA’s top-ranked player navigated through eight break points to ultimately extend her lead, which she maintained convincingly thereafter. After 78 minutes of intense play, Świątek departed the court with yet another triumph to her credit.
🇵🇱 MOCNY POCZĄTEK IGI ŚWIĄTEK WE WŁOSZECH! Polka pokonała Bernardę Perę 6:0, 6:2 i awansowała do trzeciej rundy WTA 1000 w Rzymie, gdzie zagra z Yulią Putintsevą. Mecz w sobotę. #czasnatenis
— Z kortu – informacje tenisowe | Tennis news (@z_kortu) May 9, 2024
🇬🇧 STRONG START FOR IGA ŚWIĄTEK IN ITALY! She beats Bernarda Pera 6:0, 6:2 and advances… pic.twitter.com/ajBOI01Y9U
With her eyes set on further glory, she prepares for a showdown with Yulia Putintseva in the upcoming round, poised to continue her quest for success in the Eternal City.
Iga Świątek – Bernarda Pera 2-0 (6-0, 6-2)