Italian Open: Iga Swiatek eyes fourth Rome crown after Jessica Pegula masterclass

The six-time Grand Slam winner destroyed world No 5 Pegula 6-1, 6-2 in the quarter-finals at the WTA 1000 event in Rome on Wednesday.

The world No 3 is through to her first semifinal of the year after suffering quarter-final exits at four tournaments, as well as retiring in the third round in Madrid and losing her opening match in Miami.

Swiatek is chasing her fourth Italian Open title after triumphing in the â˜Eternal Cityâ™ in 2021, 2022 and 2024. The 24-year-old Pole will play either Elena Rybakina or Elina Svitolina in the last four.

"I'm really happy with the match," said the six-time grand slam winner.

"From the beginning, I felt like I could dictate. Tactically, everything made sense as well. I was feeling the ball really well. I just used my chance and was pretty confident."

Switaek faces a resurgent Elina Svitolina in the semifinals on Thursday.

The Ukrainian upset second seed Elena Rybakina in a three-set thriller, coming back from a set down to book her place in the final four with a 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory.