Iga Swiatek reaches Italian Open last 32 as coach Roig tears Achilles
Former world number one Iga Swiatek battled past American Caty McNally to reach the Italian Open last 32 on a dramatic Friday in Rome that saw her new coach Francisco Roig suffer a torn Achilles.
The three-time Rome champion secured a hard-fought 6-1 6-7 (5-7) 6-3 victory over her unseeded opponent.
Early dominance gives way to baseline battle
The Polish star appeared to be cruising after establishing a commanding 6-1 3-1 lead on the Italian clay.
However, she squandered three crucial break points that would have extended her advantage to 4-1 before a flurry of unforced errors changed the complexion of the contest.
For sure, not an easy first match. The conditions were kind of heavy. The ball was flying slow.
McNally is the only player to have taken a set off the clay-court specialist at Wimbledon last year.
The American also boasts a memorable comeback victory over her higher-ranked rival during the 2018 Roland Garros junior event.
Late drama and service struggles
The momentum shifted dramatically as the underdog began to impose her varied touch on the grueling baseline exchanges.
Swiatek served for the match at 5-4 and 6-5 in the second set, but lapsed into backhand errors to be broken on both occasions.
Honestly, I want to watch this game and see if there’s something that I did wrong. I’m not sure even what I did.
The deciding set nearly unraveled in similar fashion when a double fault allowed McNally to instantly erase a 3-1 deficit.
Finding focus to secure progression
With the pressure mounting at 4-4, the multiple Grand Slam winner regained her composure to swat away a dangerous return.
Two clean winners followed to secure the decisive break, ensuring there would be no repeat of her second-set struggles.
I’m happy at the end of the match I was solid and I used the right balls to attack, but was also patient enough to stay in the rally.
She will next face either 28th seed Emma Navarro or Italian home hope Elisabetta Cocciaretto in the third round.
Injury blow to new coaching setup
The hard-fought victory was overshadowed by off-court developments within the Swiatek camp.
Her newly appointed head coach, Francisco Roig, suffered a torn Achilles tendon during a training session earlier in the day.
Meanwhile, fellow former world number one Naomi Osaka also battled to a three-set victory to book her place in the last 32.