By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Wednesday January 18, 2023
The World No.1 dropped just five games. Jessica Pegula and Maria Sakkaroi also advanced.
Photo Source: Getty
Iga Swiatek took care of business on Wednesday in Melbourne, jumping out to quick starts in both sets and fighting off late surges from Colombia’s Camila Osoria to win 6-2, 6-3.
Swiatek has now won 23 of her last 25 matches at the majors, and she will face either Canada’s Bianca Andreescu or Spanish qualifier Cristina Bucsa in the third round.
After reaching the semifinals last year, Swiatek has set her sights on winning her fourth Grand Slam title in Melbourne, but she has a tough path in front of her. Facing Andreescu - if it happens - in round three would be a big challenge, and beyond that, things won’t get much easier in week two.
If the seeds hold Swiatek would face American Danielle Collins, the woman who knocked her out of the draw last year at Melbourne in the round of 16, and if she progresses to the quarterfinals she is slated to face American Coco Gauff, who is currently undefeated in 2023.
American Jessica Pegula, who eased past Aliaksandra Sasnovich 6-2, 7-6(5) on Wednesday, lurks as Swiatek’s potential semifinal opponent. The American, seeded third, defeated Swiatek 6-2 6-2 at the United Cup two weeks ago.
On Wednesday Swiatek won convincingly, behind her dominant return of serve. She broke Osorio, the World No.84, six times and reeled off the first four games of the match before the fiery Colombian got her bearings. In the second set Swiatek had a 5-1 lead before Osorio hit her stride, notching back-to-back games to make things interesting.
“It was really intense, and, like, pretty physical,” Swiatek said. “I think it was much tougher than what the score says. Camila, she's a great fighter. She didn't give me many points for free but I'm happy I was solid and I could finish it.”
Swiatek improves to 53 and 12 overall at the majors – only six players in WTA Open Era history have won more than 53 of their first 65 matches at the Grand Slams: Margaret Court, Monica Seles, Chris Evert, Martina Hingis, Billie Jean King and Tracy Austin.