Iga Swiatek delivered a dominant performance to defeat American fifth seed Jessica Pegula 6-1, 6-2 and move into the semi-finals of the WTA 1000 Italian Open in Rome on Wednesday.
The Polish fourth seed and six-time Grand Slam champion started the match in strong fashion, racing to a 5-0 lead before Pegula managed to win a game and avoid a complete first-set shutout. Swiatek maintained full control throughout, dropping only three games in the entire match.
The second set followed a similar pattern, with Swiatek continuing to apply pressure from the baseline and closing out the match comfortably. She finished with 15 winners compared to Pegula’s six, highlighting her dominance in all areas of the game.
This win is Swiatek’s first victory over a top-10 opponent this year and marks a positive turnaround after she recently began working with former Rafael Nadal coach Francisco Roig.
Speaking after the match, Swiatek said she felt confident and in control from the start, adding that she was happy with how she executed her game plan under pressure.
The result is also an important step for Swiatek as she prepares for the upcoming French Open, which begins on May 24. She is aiming to win a fifth Roland Garros title and extend her strong record on clay.
Her path in Rome has also opened up following the early exit of world number one Aryna Sabalenka, who was defeated by Sorana Cirstea. Swiatek now has a clearer opportunity to claim her first clay-court title since her 2024 French Open victory.
In the semi-finals, Swiatek will face the winner of the match between Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina and Elina Svitolina.
