Iga Swiatek sees off ‘fighter’ Camila Osorio as Jessica Pegula also closes match out in two sets

Australian Open
Jessica Pegula plays a shot

World No 1 Iga Swiatek put her first-round struggles behind her as she eased past Camila Osorio at a soggy Australian Open.

Swiatek had to fight back from 5-3 down in the second set against Jule Niemeier on Monday but was much more comfortable in her 6-2, 6-3 success against Colombian Osorio to reach round three.

The negative for the Pole was that her serve was broken three times, including when she served for the match at 5-1 in the second set, but she took her next opportunity.

Swiatek said: “It was really intense and pretty physical. 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.”

The match was played under the roof on Rod Laver Arena because of rainy conditions at Melbourne Park that threatened to cause scheduling problems for organisers after Tuesday’s extreme heat and storms.

Swiatek, who will face either 2019 US Open champion Bianca Andreescu or qualifier Cristina Bucșa in the second round, and Jessica Pegula were through to the third round before some players had even started their first-round matches.

Pegula came into the tournament as one of the most in-form players and the third seed, who is chasing a maiden Grand Slam title, defeated Aliaksandra Sasnovich 6-2, 7-6 (7-5).

Pegula’s parents own the Buffalo Bills NFL franchise and she wore the No 3 on her skirt to offer support to Damar Hamlin following his cardiac arrest.

She said: “I definitely wanted to do something on my outfit. I was in Sydney when it happened so I didn’t have time to do it there.

“I thought it would be a fun way to connect with the team and then also just show my support. I felt like it was a global event. A lot of people were asking me about it even here.”

The American will take on either Australian wildcard Olivia Gadecki or Marta Kostyuk from the Ukraine for a place in the fourth round.

“… At the Open, I won 4 and 4, but I definitely felt like it easily could’ve been the other way,” Pegula told ESPN after the match. “So I was definitely ready for her to get streaky, to get hot, and I’m just glad that I was able to close it out in two [sets].

“Even though it seemed like I was cruising, I had a lot of tough services games, a lot of long return games as well. It toughens you up.”

Camila Osorio Iga Swiatek Jessica Pegula

Latest