Francesco roig

Iga Swiatek: Iga Swiatek rediscovered her trademark dominance on clay as she swept aside Jessica Pegula 6-1, 6-2 to book a place in the semifinals of the Italian Open, marking her deepest run of the 2026 season so far.

Under pressure after a string of quarterfinal exits earlier this year, the former World No. 1 delivered one of her sharpest performances in recent months at the Foro Italico, overwhelming Pegula in just 66 minutes with relentless baseline control and immaculate serving.

The victory carried added significance for Swiatek, who had not reached a semifinal in 2026 despite strong starts at several major tournaments, including the Australian Open, Doha, Indian Wells, and Stuttgart. In Rome, however, the three-time champion appears to have rediscovered rhythm and confidence at the perfect stage of the clay-court swing.