Iga Swiatek, demonstration of strength on the clay in Rome » He left only 3 games to Naomi Osaka

Iga Swiatek he had to get to Rome, the tournament he had won three times in his previous six appearances, to rediscover his top-level game. In general and on clay in particular.

In a round of 16 clash, scheduled at the BNP Paribas Arena in the Foro Italico, he found himself face to face with Naomi Osakaanother former WTA leader. Under the night lights, the two provided a tight match, despite the severe score, 6-2, 6-1 in favor of Poland.

It was their fourth meeting and contained flashbacks from their previous clash: Roland Garros 2024, round 3, when Iga was winning 7-6 (1), 1-6, 7-5 in exactly 3 hours, the last act lasting an hour and 24 minutes.

Iga Swiatek, displaying efficient play on clay

The tension and intrigue developed from the first game, a break made by the Pole at the third opportunity. Osaka recovered it later for 2-2but it was a short balance. Next, the four-time champion from Roland Garros showed more and more her game on clay.

Physically stable, with legs ready to run when needed and push hard when getting into corners, resilient and with the game so clear in her mind, Swiatek was more often than not in the aggressor role. Which is not easy to do against an opponent who has such strong shots as Naomi.

23of game winners Iga Swiatek had in the match to Naomi Osaka's only 9, and the unforced error ratio was 18-24

From 2-2Iga closed the act with 6-2saving a break point at 5-2 and converting at the third opportunity. Once the set was sealed, it was as if a boulder had been lifted from his shoulders. This made the second act more dominated by her. The way she used high balls, how she responded to opposition attacks, how she moved recalled her best moments on this surface.

In the end, he prevailed with 6-2, 6-1in an hour and 22 minutes of offensive, varied and well-executed gameplay. At the net, the two exchanged a smile and a hug. In the stands, satisfaction for the coach Francisco Roigeven with a torn tendon after an injury in an exhibition match in Piazza del Popolo, 10 days ago. And stone face for Tomasz Wiktorowskithe one who works with Naomi Osaka and who previously trained Iga.

24th match-win in Rome at 24-years old 🤩

Iga Swiatek knocks out Osaka 6-2, 6-1 to advance to the quarterfinals.#IBI26 pic.twitter.com/YvneOlLD2Y

— wta (@WTA) May 11, 2026

It is the fifth quarter-final reached by Swiatek in Rome, she won the title in 2021, 2022 and 2024. Her next opponent is the American Jessica Pegulathe 5th seed, who went 7-6 (6), 6-2 against the recent semifinalist from Madrid, Anastasia Potapova (world number 38).

Iga and Jessica have already played 11 times, with the Pole closely leading, 6-5. Most recently they met last year, in the final from Bad Homburgon the grass, when the American won. In the direct record there is only one clash on clay, Roland Garros 2022, in the quarterfinals, 6-3, 6-2 for Swiatek.