Polish tennis player Iga Swiatek survived a major scare on Thursday, rallying from a set down to defeat American world number 208 Caty McNally 5-7, 6-2, 6-1 and secure her place in the third round at Wimbledon.
The Polish star, seeded eighth and a five-time Grand Slam winner, was in danger of joining a growing list of early exits after dropping the opening set on Centre Court. With five of the tournament’s top 10 women’s seeds already out, Swiatek risked becoming another high-profile casualty.
However, the 24-year-old composed herself and turned the match around in impressive fashion, dominating the next two sets to safely advance.
While Swiatek triumphed as a junior at the All England Club, success on grass has proven elusive at the senior level. None of her 22 career WTA titles have come on the surface, and she has never progressed beyond the quarter-finals in five previous appearances at Wimbledon.
Speaking after her comeback win, Swiatek said her recent form had renewed her belief on grass.
“I think I’ve shown there’s hope,” she said, referencing her run to the final at the Bad Homburg Open in the lead-up to Wimbledon.
Swiatek, a four-time French Open champion and semi-finalist at both the Australian and French Opens this year, is still chasing a maiden Wimbledon final and hopes to continue her momentum on the lawns of SW19.
