Iga Swiatek routs Jessica Pegula in Rome to reach first semifinal of 2026 season

ROME—Look out! Iga Swiatek is heating up just in time for Roland Garros.

For the first time in 2026, the world No. 3 has made her way through to the semifinals. A three-time champion in Rome, Swiatek’s comfort at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia shone through Wednesday when she blew past rival Jessica Pegula, 6-1, 6-2, with overcast skies hanging in the balance.

The 25-year-old raced out to a 5-0 lead, ultimately breaking the No. 5 seed four times from seven opportunities. Swiatek notably won 13 of 15 return points against Pegula’s second serve to advance after 68 minutes and secure her first Top 10 win of the year.

“I feel much better. A lot of confidence on my shots. I was using that from the beginning of the match today, putting pressure on Jessie,” Swiatek said in her on-court interview.

The six-time major winner snapped a five-match losing streak in quarterfinals dating back to last October’s Wuhan Open. Swiatek previously fell in the last eight this season at the Australian Open (l. to Rybakina), Doha (l. to Sakkari), Indian Wells (l. to Svitolina) and Stuttgart (l. to Andreeva).

After being pushed to three sets in her opener at the Foro Italico by her former junior doubles partner Caty McNally, Swiatek has since dropped seven games in her next three matches. Prior to dispatching Pegula, the Pole handily defeated Naomi Osaka thanks to six breaks of serve.

Swiatek recently began a new coaching partnership with Francisco Roig, who ruptured his Achilles tendon at the end of a pre-tournament training session. The Spaniard flew to Warsaw for surgery and hasn’t missed a beat in Rome outside of a single practice.

Looking to end a clay-court title drought dating back to the 2024 French Open, Swiatek awaits the winner of tonight’s showdown between Elena Rybakina and Elina Svitolina. Coco Gauff and Sorana Cirstea set the first semifinal with their victories Tuesday.