Iga Świątek and the lottery on the Wimbledon center court. Unusual scenes!
Iga Świątek advanced to the third round of Wimbledon 2026. The Pole defeated the former number 1 in the world ranking – the Czech Karolina Pliskova – in two sets.
In the case of Iga Świątek’s rival on Thursday (i.e. July 2), we are talking about a player who has actually been at the top in the past. What’s more, Karolina Pliskova is actually in a small group of tennis players who were number 1 in the WTA ranking. This state of affairs could be noticed almost a decade ago (2017), but it is a fact.
Additionally, the 34-year-old player was in the finals of Grand Slam events. On the courts of Wimbledon (2021) and US Open (2016), and in the semi-finals – at Roland Garros (2017) and Australian Open (2019). Experience was therefore, at least in the context of the years spent on the court, on the side of the Czech tennis player.
Wimbledon: Lottery conditions in the match between Iga Świątek and Karolina Pliskova
After considerable problems in the first round, in which the Pole needed three sets to defeat the American Taylor Towsend, it was difficult to predict which version of Świątek we would see in the clash with Pliskova. The Polish tennis player herself did not hide her emotions after her successful return to the Wimbledon courts.
However, as the first dozen or so minutes of the Świątek-Pliskova match showed, there were definitely more tennis arguments on the Pole’s side. Events on the center court in London were so favorable that the defending champion won the first set at a truly express pace.
However, in the second part it was not so easy and pleasant. It is also worth noting the conditions in which both tennis players played. There was a windy weather in London, which made it difficult to both serve and… return, when there was a really successful serve on the side of any of the tennis players.
The second set lasted longer than the first, both players needed 22 minutes to reach 2:2, which is slightly less than the time in which they played the entire first set. Overall, however, the Pole remained much more calm and impressive in her form. Pliskova had no recipe for Świątek playing like that.
And the defending champion could smile and look ahead with satisfaction, towards the third round of this year’s Wimbledon.
Who will Świątek face in his next match? The Polish woman’s opponent, seeded number 3, will be Filipina Alexandra Eala – seeded number 29 in London.
Wimbledon 2026 broadcasts can be followed on Polsat sports channels and online at Polsat Box Go. The tournament is scheduled for June 29 – July 12.
Iga Świątek and all her championship titles
In her career so far, the Pole has won a total of 25 championship titles on courts almost all over the world.
Świątek won six Grand Slam titles, four times at Roland Garros (2020, 2022, 2023 and 2024), once at the US Open (2022) and Wimbledon (2025). To this should be added the prestigious triumph in the WTA Finals (2023).
In addition, wins in WTA 1000 tournaments in: Rome (2021, 2022, 2024), Doha (2022 and 2024), Indian Wells (2022 and 2024), Miami (2022), Beijing (2023), Madrid (2024) and Cincinnati (2025).
The list also includes WTA 500 competitions: Adelaide (2021), Stuttgart (2022 and 2023), San Diego (2022), Doha (2023) and Seoul (2025).
Plus a Polish tournament accent, WTA 250 in Warsaw (2023).
As for Polish topics, it is impossible not to emphasize the bronze medal of the Olympic Games in the singles competition in Paris (2024). Świątek also won the Polish national team in the United Cup in Sydney (2026).
