Iga Swiatek put aside tears and fears to dismantle Karolina Pliskova 6-2, 6-1 at Wimbledon on Thursday, advancing to the third round with a commanding performance that showed no signs of the emotional turmoil she had faced in recent weeks.
Swiatek's Emotional Journey
The world No. 1 had been struggling with anxiety and pressure ahead of the tournament, admitting to crying before her first-round match. However, against the big-serving Pliskova, Swiatek was a picture of composure, breaking her opponent four times and winning 72% of points on her first serve.
"I was really nervous before the match, but I managed to focus on my game and not think about the outcome," Swiatek said after the match. "I'm just happy to be through and playing well."
Dominant Display
Swiatek's victory was her 35th of the year and extended her winning streak to 11 matches. She needed just 68 minutes to dispatch Pliskova, a former world No. 1 and two-time Grand Slam finalist. The Polish star hit 22 winners and committed only 12 unforced errors, compared to Pliskova's 17 winners and 23 unforced errors.
The match was a stark contrast to Swiatek's first-round struggle against Jana Fett, where she dropped the first set before rallying to win. Against Pliskova, Swiatek was in control from the start, breaking in the opening game and never looking back.
Looking Ahead
Swiatek will next face either Belinda Bencic or Marketa Vondrousova in the third round. Despite her recent struggles, she remains the favorite to win her third Wimbledon title after triumphs in 2023 and 2024.
"I'm taking it match by match," Swiatek said. "Every opponent is tough at this stage, and I need to stay focused on my game."
