Iga Swiatek will face Angelique Kerber in the last 16 after beating Yulia Putintseva; Swiatek looking to follow Madrid Open victory with another tournament win; you can watch the conclusion to the Internazionali BNL d'Italia in Rome exclusively live on Sky Sports Tennis
Saturday 11 May 2024 15:55, UK
World No 1 Iga Swiatek extended her winning streak and reached the fourth round of the Internazionali BNL d'Italia by despatching Yulia Putintseva in straight sets in Rome.
Swiatek need one hour and 46 minutes to see off her opponent 6-3 6-4 on Saturday, coming back from 4-1 down in the second set to win five consecutive matches and reach the last 16.
The Pole took the first set and despite trailing her opponent 4-1 in the second set, she won five games in succession to extend her winning streak to eight matches and set up a meeting with Germany's Angelique Kerber in the next round.
"I needed to get my focus together," Swiatek said. "I know that I can play good tennis because I did it in the first set. I just wanted to come back to being solid and really work for the points because she's really changing the rhythm, so it's not easy to play against her."
Having won the Madrid Open last week, Swiatek is attempting to become the first woman to win the 'dirt double' since Serena Williams in 2013. She's already a two-time Rome champion and has described Rafael Nadal as a role model.
"He's a huge inspiration," Swiatek said. "He's basically the only idol I ever had in my life. So it's great that he's back to play some tennis."
Former three-time Grand Slam champion Kerber defeated Aliaksandra Sasnovich 6-3 7-6 (7-4) to set up a blockbuster meeting with Swiatek on Monday.
Elsewhere, former world No 1 Naomi Osaka, who is yet to drop a set, is also through to the next round after she saw off Daria Kasatkina 6-3 6-3.
Paula Badosa rallied past Diana Shnaider 5-7 6-4 6-4 to reach the fourth round at a WTA 1000 event for the first time since her quarter-final appearance in Rome last year.
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