World number one Iga Swiatek continued her successful run at the Italian Open by beating Croatia’s Donna Vekic to reach the quarter-finals.
Swiatek, 21, is bidding for a third straight title in Rome and, despite some uncertain moments against 24-year-old Vekic, won 6-3 6-4.
The three-time major champion has won his last 14 matches on the clay of Rome.
She will put that record on the line when she meets Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in the quarter-finals.
In the last 16 match that returned on Tuesday after Monday’s rain in Rome, Swiatek was far from normal and struggled with his forehand.
But he had enough skill to get past Vekic, who had a chance to take the lead but managed to take one of the seven breaks.
“Donna is a very experienced player and she can play very well on many surfaces. She put up a lot of challenges but I’m happy to handle them and pass,” said Swiatek.
Facing Kazakhstan’s Rybakina, he added: “It’s not going to be easy, she’s good this season, it’s going to be tough.
