Days after the spectacular final of WTA 1000 from Madrid, number 1 in the world Iga Swiatek is back in action this Thursday in the tournament of Rome, of the same category and last good stop on clay on the way to Roland Garros. The Pole made his debut in the second round with a comfortable victory by 6-0 and 6-2 against Bernarda Pera.
Late in the day, which was delayed by rain, Swiatek gave the American, whom he led at all times from the back court, no option. He has done this in his usual game, varying the direction with the forehand and backhand.
Furthermore, Swiatek punished with his returns the timid second serve of Pera, who was never able to take the initiative. She accompanied them by being sharp with her serve, a stroke in which she extended the good feeling shown especially in the final in Madrid against Aryna Sabalenka, albeit in a match with completely different conditions.
Only Iga suffered when it was closed. At 6-0, 5-1 and serve, he gave up four break points, the last of which he took advantage of of his rival. They were the only options Swiatek provided in the match. In this way, Pera extended it to 6-0 and 6-2.
So, in just one hour, Swiatek met the Kazakh in the third round Yulia Putintseva, which gave Sloane Stephens no chance, which she won 6-3 and 6-2. Iga is seeking to regain the crown in Rome, where she was declared champion in 2021 and 2022, but where she had to retire due to injury in last year’s quarterfinals when she was 2-2 in the third set against Elena Rybakina.
Source: La Verdad
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