World No. 1 Iga Swiatek survived a stern test on Centre Court at Wimbledon, overcoming a spirited challenge from American qualifier Caty McNally to advance to the third round on Wednesday.
Swiatek, the top seed and reigning French Open champion, was pushed to her limits before prevailing 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-3 in a tense two-hour, 38-minute encounter. Known more for her dominance on clay, Swiatek showcased her growing confidence on grass, using precise baseline play and improved serve placement to fend off McNally’s aggressive net game.
The 22-year-old Pole broke early in the first set and held off late pressure to take it 6-4. But McNally, undaunted by the occasion, raised her level in the second. Mixing slice approaches with well-timed volleys, she dragged Swiatek into a tiebreak and edged it 7-5, forcing a deciding set and drawing roars from the Centre Court crowd.
In the third, Swiatek rediscovered her rhythm and broke for a 3-1 lead, then held firm despite McNally’s resistance. The American saved three match points but couldn’t stop Swiatek from closing it out with a forehand winner down the line.
“It was a really tough match,” Swiatek said in her post-match interview. “Caty played with a lot of variety and kept me on my toes. I’m proud of how I stayed composed in the third set.”
McNally, ranked outside the top 150, earned a standing ovation for her gutsy performance. Despite the loss, the 22-year-old demonstrated she can go toe-to-toe with the game’s elite.
Swiatek now moves on to face Yulia Putintseva in the third round, looking to extend her Wimbledon campaign and reach the second week of the tournament for the third consecutive year.
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