Italian Open: Iga Swiatek beats Croatia's Donna Vekic in Rome

ROME: World number one Iga Swiatek continued her dominant streak at the Italian Open by beating Croatia's Donna Vekic to reach the quarter-finals on Tuesday. Swiatek, 21, is bidding for a third successive title in Rome and, despite some unconvincing moments against 24th seed Vekic, won 6-3 6-4.

The three-time major champion has won her past 14 matches on the Rome clay.

She will put that record on the line when she faces Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in the quarter-finals.

In a last-16 match pushed back to Tuesday after Monday's rain in Rome, Swiatek was far from her best and particularly struggled with her forehand.

But she had enough quality to edge past Vekic, who had chances to make the scoreline closer but could take only one of her seven break points.

In another fourth round match, Paula Padosa beat Karolína Muchová 6-4, 6-7, 6-2.

In men’s section, 4th seed Casper Ruud outplayed Laslo Djere 6-1, 6-3, Yannick Hanfmann beat 6th seed Andrey Rublev 7-6, 4-6, 6-3 while Francisco Cerundolo stunned 8th seed Jannik Sinner 6-7, 6-2, 6-2 to reach the quarterfinals. Agencies

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