Iga Swiatek needed 2 hours and 43 minutes to survive a major scare from Catherine McNally in the second round of the Italian Open, prevailing 6-1, 6-7(5), 6-3 in a match that looked settled after just 30 minutes.
The world No.2 raced through the opening set 6-1 and seemed poised for a routine victory at 3-1 in the second. But McNally adapted brilliantly, deploying an increasingly effective slice game that disrupted Swiatek's rhythm and drew errors from the Pole's backhand wing.
Three squandered break points proved a turning point. McNally grew bolder, mixing pace and angles to keep Swiatek guessing. Twice the Polish star served for the match, at 5-4 and 6-5, failing to convert on both occasions as backhands sailed long. In the tiebreak, McNally played fearlessly to level at one set all, 7-5.
The decider saw an exchange of early breaks before Swiatek steadied herself at 4-4 with a clutch return winner. McNally's forehand drifted just wide on match point, ending a contest that served as a stern reminder: even a routine start can turn into a battle in Rome.
"Not an easy first match," Swiatek admitted. "Heavy conditions, slow ball, many long rallies. I had to be patient." She will face either Emma Navarro or Elisabetta Cocciaretto in the next round.
McNally remains one of Swiatek's most uncomfortable opponents. She was the only player to take a set from the Pole at Wimbledon last year, and their rivalry traces back to the 2018 Roland Garros juniors, where the American won in three sets.
