Iga Świątek has advanced to the Madrid Open third round after beating Daria Snigur on Thursday.
Swiatek proved too strong for her Ukrainian opponent, winning the contest 6-1, 6-2 in just over one hour.
It was a comfortable victory for the Polish star, who converted five of her six break-point opportunities and won almost 80 per cent of her first-serve points.
Swiatek, the 2024 Madrid Open champion, will play Ann Li in the third round after the American defeated her compatriot Alycia Parks in round two.
Swiatek looked comfortable on the clay, as she so often has throughout her trophy-laden career.
It seems the Polish star’s recent hire of coach Francisco Roig has had a positive effect on her game.
Iga Świątek’s Madrid performance should worry her WTA rivals
Iga Świątek on the path to recapturing her best form – and that should worry the likes of Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff and Elena Rybakina.
Are you more or less confident that Iga Swiatek can win the Madrid Open now?
She is a former champion…
When in top form, there is no player on the WTA Tour who can match Iga Swiatek’s ability on clay courts.
The Polish superstar is a four-time French Open champion for a reason; and if Swiatek recaptures her title-winning form over the next few weeks, she should be considered the Roland Garros favourite.
Today’s match offered a glimpse into the ability Iga Swiatek possesses – the Pole seemed at home on the outdoor clay surface.
Swiatek’s movement from corner-to-corner was excellent against Snigur, and she demonstrated clear improvement on her serve.
If the 24-year-old can continue to improve her game over the next few weeks, who knows what she could achieve during the 2026 clay-court season?
Iga Swiatek’s Madrid Open record
- 2022: Third round – lost to Ashleigh Barty
- 2023: Runner-up – lost to Aryna Sabalenka
- 2024: Champion – beat Aryna Sabalenka in the final
- 2025: Semi-finals – lost to Coco Gauff
- 2026: ?
Iga Świątek reacts to her Madrid Open victory
Following Thursday’s victory, Swiatek posted a celebratory message on Instagram.
Happy to be in the third round,” she said. “It’s always such a pleasure to compete at the Madrid Open.
“Hasta luego [see you later].”
How many Grand Slam titles will Iga Swiatek win with Francisco Roig as her coach?
She's signed one of the best coaches on tour!
As mentioned already, Swiatek will play Ann Li in the Madrid Open third round. The pair have never played each other before on the WTA Tour.
The winner of their contest will play one of four players in the Madrid Open fourth round: Leylah Fernandez, Julia Grabher, Magda Linette or Iva Jovic.
Should Swiatek advance to the quarter-finals, she would likely face Mirra Andreeva – who beat the Polish star in Stuttgart last week.
