Defending champion Iga Swiatek made a commanding start to her Italian Open title defense, breezing past Italian wildcard Elisabetta Cocciaretto 6-0, 6-1 in just 52 minutes.
The Polish world number two was in dominant form, winning 28 of her 35 service points and not facing a single break point. Swiatek is aiming for her fourth title in five years in Rome and has now won 18 of her last 19 matches at the tournament in straight sets—the only exception being a retirement in the 2023 quarter-finals against Elena Rybakina.
She will face either American Danielle Collins or Romania’s Elena-Gabriela Ruse in the third round.
The 23-year-old will head to the French Open later this month looking to claim a fifth title at Roland Garros in six years. Despite reaching at least the quarter-finals in her last eight events, Swiatek is still chasing her first title of the 2024 season.
Osaka battles back to extend winning streak on clay
Naomi Osaka continued her impressive clay-court revival with a hard-fought 2-6, 7-5, 6-1 comeback win over Swiss lucky loser Viktorija Golubic.
The 27-year-old Japanese star, who has historically struggled on clay and never progressed past the third round at the French Open, has now won seven straight matches on the surface. Her run includes a title last week at L’Open 35 de Saint-Malo—her first WTA title since becoming a mother in July 2023 and her first-ever on clay.
Originally set to face ninth seed Paula Badosa, Osaka instead took on Golubic after the Spaniard withdrew due to injury.
The four-time Grand Slam champion will next face either Brazil’s 18th seed Beatriz Haddad Maia or Czech player Marie Bouzkova.
The French Open begins on May 25 at Roland Garros.
