Swiatek Dominates Pegula, Advances in Rome

In a commanding performance, four-time French Open champion Iga Swiatek showcased her return to form at the 2026 Italian Open by defeating American fifth seed Jessica Pegula 6-1, 6-2 on Wednesday. The match, which lasted just over an hour, marked Swiatek's progress to the semi-finals, and it was her first victory over a top-10 opponent this season.

Swiatek had set the stage for this decisive win by easily defeating four-time major champion Naomi Osaka in the previous round, losing only three games. The addition of Rafael Nadal's former coach Francisco Roig last month, along with Nadal's guidance on the practice court, appears to be paying off as Swiatek begins to regain the dominance that once made her a formidable competitor.

"The stuff we did in the last few weeks has helped and I have a lot of confidence in my shots," Swiatek remarked after her match. Known as the 'Queen of Clay', Swiatek has previously demonstrated her prowess on the surface, winning four titles at Roland Garros between 2020 and 2024 and six WTA Tour events on clay.

However, last year saw her vulnerability, as she failed to secure a clay-court title and was eliminated in the semi-finals of the French Open. After underperforming with her former coach Wim Fissette, who advocated for a more aggressive baseline style, Swiatek shifted her focus back to basics with Roig.

In her match against Pegula, she displayed the high intensity and consistency that Roig demands, appearing stable in her shot-making. Swiatek adopted a patient approach with a higher margin for error, which forced errors from Pegula, who struggled on the clay surface.

As Swiatek moves on in the tournament, she awaits either Kazakh second seed Elena Rybakina or seventh seed Elina Svitolina in the semi-finals. The competition ahead is expected to be tougher, but Swiatek's recent performances suggest she is a significant contender for the French Open title next month.

In other news, Italian world number 10 Lorenzo Musetti has withdrawn from the French Open due to a thigh injury sustained in Rome, adding to the list of notable players sidelined from the tournament.