Iga Swiatek will face Jessica Pegula on the quarterfinals of the Italian Open after making short work of Naomi Osaka on Monday, beating the Japan star 6-2, 6-1 and looking more like the player that won four French Open titles.
Pole Swiatek hasn't won a clay court tournament since claiming her most recent title at Roland Garros two years ago, with personal problems a factor in her poor performances on her favoured surface.
But she looked back to her old self on Monday, giving Osaka nowhere to turn as she scurried around the court and finished off the match in just one hour and 22 minutes.
Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam winner, is yet to get beyond the last 16 of any tournament this year after also being knocked out of Indian Wells and the Madrid Open at the same stage by Aryna Sabalenka.
GAUFF SURVIVES
Coco Gauff survived a scare against Iva Jovic coming back from a match point to win 5-7, 7-5, 6-2 and reach the women's quarterfinals.
American star Gauff, who is reigning French Open champion and reached the final in Rome last year, won a draining match which took the best part of three hours.
The 22-year-old has struggled on clay this season, with a last-16 exit in the Madrid Open coming after a disappointing run to the quarterfinals in Stuttgart.
Gauff was so annoyed with herself shortly after saving a match point against the serve at 5-4 down in the second set that she smacked herself in the head.
But she recovered to eventually see off her fellow American and set up a clash with Mirra Andreeva in the last eight.
