Iga Swiatek continued her Wimbledon title defence by overpowering former finalist Karolina Pliskova in a commanding straight-set victory to reach the third round.
The Polish world number three cried on court after battling to a three-set win over Taylor Townsend in her opening match on Tuesday, having found opening play on Centre Court as the reigning champion “really emotional”. Far more relaxed on her return to action two days later, there was an entirely different feel to this performance as the 25-year-old made a blistering start against 2021 runner-up Pliskova.
“I’m feeling more stable today – and that’s good,” Swiatek told the crowd after her 6-1 6-3 victory. “The first round was really emotional for sure, but today I felt like it was another day in the office and I needed to be ready, be in charge and make good decisions.
“It is always better when you’re able to think like that and it was a good day for me. I was consistent and I had a good level of focus, so I’m really happy with my performance.” Swiatek, a six-time major winner, lost just one of the first 17 points in the match as she proceeded to dismantle the Czech, racing into a four-game lead.
She struggled on serve in the fifth game, recording two double faults to allow Pliskova to retrieve one break back, but immediately reset to capture the first set in just 25 minutes after winning 26 of the 35 points played. Meanwhile, a well-dressed Taylor Fritz impressed again at Wimbledon on Thursday, beating compatriot Patrick Kypson 6-2, 6-2, 7-5 to reach the third round as Princess Kate visited the All England Club.
Fritz’s white blazer and NBA-style warmup pants for his walk-on at No. 2 Court drew attention but his play wasn’t bad either – he fired 19 aces and avoided getting pushed into a fourth set.
The sixth-seeded American, a semifinalist last year, emphatically pumped his right fist when he broke Kypson to convert his fourth match point.
“I’m really happy that I was able to just get the break there, avoid going to a tiebreaker, avoid going to a fourth, just get it done in three,” Fritz said in an on-court interview.
Fritz also won his opener in straight sets and had worn a similar outfit with tear-away warmup pants.
“I’m a bit more low-key so it’s definitely something different for me walking out with the whole fit,” the 28-year-old Californian said.
“The first round I actually kind of struggled getting the thing off. I saw a video of Frances (Tiafoe) the other day just going full rip-off,” Fritz added. “I tried to copy him today.” Fifth-seeded Alex de Minaur also advanced in straight sets, beating Adrian Mannarino 6-3, 6-2, 6-2.