Iga Swiatek’s latest Wimbledon success gets Martina Navratilova seal of approval

Iga Swiatek celebrates victory following her Ladies' Singles match against Karolina Pliskova. Pic: Ben Whitley/PA

Reigning Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek earned top marks from Martina Navratilova after brushing aside Karolina Pliskova to reach the third round.

The world number three was in tears on court after her title defence began with a stuttering three-set victory over world number 79 Taylor Townsend.

She delivered a far more accomplished display on Thursday and wasted little time in wrapping up an impressive 6-1 6-3 win over 2021 runner-up Pliskova.

Eighteen-time grand slam singles champion Navratilova graded Swiatek’s performance an A+.

“When legends like that say nice things about you, it means a lot,” the third seed said in her on-court interview.

“It is basically why you try to be the best tennis player possible, so that people appreciate it. I’m really happy that she is saying that.

“I don’t know if it was an A+ because at times it was a tricky game, especially with the wind.

“Sometimes the balls were really low and far away from you. I felt like I played so many dirty shots in that final game especially, I wasn’t able to control them that much. So maybe not A+, more like B I would say.

“I’m feeling more stable today – and that’s good.” Maya Joint failed to back up her headline-grabbing victory over Serena Williams after collapsing to a three-set loss to 29th seed Alexandra Eala.

The 20-year-old Australian ended the singles comeback of 23-time grand slam singles winner Williams on Tuesday evening with a three-set Centre Court victory.

She claimed the opening set of her second-round match but Filipino Eala won nine games in a row to seal a 3-6 6-2 6-0 success and set up a meeting with Swiatek.

Last year’s runner-up Amanda Anisimova came from 3-1 down in the deciding set to edge past Sofia Kenin 6-2 4-6 7-6 (10/3) and set up another all-American affair with Madison Keys.

Former Australian Open champion Keys – a two-time Wimbledon quarter-finalist – ended British interest in the women’s singles by beating Katie Swan 6-1 6-4.

“It’s obviously the slam where I’ve done the worst,” said Keys, who last week won her third Eastbourne title.

“I would love to make it one step further and make a semi-final and go even further and make a final or be able to lift the trophy.

“There’s been times where I feel like I have played really well here, and I’ve simply lost because the person on the other side of the net played better.” Elena Rybakina, the 2022 champion, breezed past American world number 50 Caty McNally 6-1 6-2 on Centre Court, while 2024 runner-up Jasmine Paolini saw off Switzerland’s Viktorija Golubic 7-6 (0) 6-4.

Tyra Caterina Grant – the 18-year-old Italian qualifier who eliminated Britain’s Katie Boulter in round one – was beaten 7-5 6-3 by 21st seed Marie Bouzkova.

Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk and American Emma Navarro were other seeds to progress on day four of the Championships.

But Diana Shnaider – the 15th seed – was defeated 6-4 4-6 6-2 by fellow Russian Liudmila Samsonova.