History repeats as Swiatek crushed Italian challenge

Iga Swiatek cooked up another breadstick performance at the Rome Masters on  Sunday, limiting Italian Elisabetta Cocciaretto to just one game in a third-round rout.

Weather may have played a role, with passing rain creating heavy conditions on the slow red clay of the Court Centrale at the Foro Italico.

Poland’s former world No. 1 took just 65 minutes to dispatch the Italian challenge,needing four match points in a lengthy final game to earn the win.

“I wanted to be solid and focus on my game not matter the score,” the three-time Rome champion said.

“I wanted to play as I had planned and go for my shots over the whole match.”

The winner added: “I played well today, opening up the court… it was very nice.”

Fourth seed Swiatek will next come up against a familiar face when she plays former fellow Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka.

Swiatek has won the last two of their three matches and goes into the Tuesday showdown with confidence building.

“She’s a great player. I know that she can bring it (to the match) and she reads the ball well.

“I will be ready,” Swiatek added.