Iga Świątek has finally arrived. This picture leaves no doubt

Both tennis players have faced each other many times in the past. Iga Świątek and Caty McNally are of the same age, so the Pole and the American had quite a lot of opportunities to compete in youth tournaments. However, as a senior, McNally is a much better doubles specialist. Świątek has so far beaten the US representative in the singles by at least several lengths.

WTA 1000 Rome: An important success for the Pole. This picture from the match was telling

Świątek, however, started Friday’s (i.e. May 8) match with a slight false start. The Pole lost her service game and the score was 0:1. From that moment on, the tennis player ranked 3rd in the WTA rankings switched gears. McNally failed to win any (!) games in the first set, which ended with a score of 6:1 for Świątek. And all this in less than half an hour of play by both tennis players.

The second set brought a game won by the American, but then the scenario repeated itself and – this time three, not six, games went to the Polish woman. Having a 3-1 lead with a double break, Świątek consistently implemented her plan. During the meeting, images were repeatedly seen showing a large grimace of dissatisfaction on McNally’s face. The American couldn’t find her right rhythm for a long time, becoming very nervous about her mistakes.

Polish fans had to wait until the fourth day of the competition in the Italian capital to see Świątek in action. There was no trace of the Polish player’s health problems, which forced her to scratch during the WTA 1000 in Madrid.

It must be admitted, however, that while the first game ended with a score of 6:1, in the second game McNally put more pressure on the Pole. This can be proven by the result (ultimately 7:6), but also by the longer rallies and the quality of the games. The American even managed to break her opponent at a key moment, with 4:5 and Świątek’s serve at 5:5 – on the first break point. However, the Pole broke away from the American (6:5), but the situation repeated itself and instead of 7:5 for Świątek, it went to a tie-break.

After over 80 minutes of the second set, the American triumphed, winning the decisive game 7:5. Let us add, fully deservedly so. It is also worth adding that during the match, the playing conditions became more and more demanding due to the variable wind blowing in the capital of Italy. It was difficult for the tennis players to control what was happening during individual rallies.

After 22 minutes of the third set, it was once again 3-1 for the Pole. However, the next fragments are again what could already be seen in the second part. The score was 3-3, and the American was gaining – literally and figuratively – the wind in her sails. The breakthrough came in the eighth game, on McNally’s serve. The 63rd racket in the WTA ranking had 40:15 and it seemed that she was about to equalize to 4:4.

However, the Pole started to make up for the losses and after 49 minutes of the set it was unexpectedly 5:3. Unexpectedly, Świątek seemed to be half a step behind her opponent again. And yet it was the Pole who kept calm and concentration, winning four points in a row and adding a second break in a row. And this was crucial for the fate of the competition, which lasted almost three hours.

Świątek closed the third set with a score of 6:3 and 2:1 throughout the match.

In the third round of the tournament, the Pole will play against the winner of the match Emma Navarro (USA) – Elisabetta Cocciaretto (Italy). Although the American is ranked higher, it will be a match between two tennis players who are currently… far from their optimal condition.

Świątek remained in the tournament in Rome, as the only Polish player in singles. Already at the stage of the first round, Magdalena Fręch, Magda Linette and Hubert Hurkacz said goodbye to the competition.

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).