Women's singles second round
Iga Swiatek has soared into the third round of the Australian Open, overcoming a pair of late-set stumbles under a closed Rod Laver Arena roof to dismiss Colombian Camila Osorio.
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The Pole admitted a fresh music playlist was just the change-up in routine she needed after she closed out a 6-2 6-3 victory in 84 minutes.
The build-up
Jule Niemeier expectedly gave the Pole plenty to ponder in their first-round hit-out, having troubled her in the fourth round at Flushing Meadows last year.
Swiatek was forced to elevate her level to peg back a break and close out the German in straight sets on Monday night.
It was a welcome early test as she sought to build momentum towards a third major from the past four.
A semifinalist at Melbourne Park last year, Swiatek ended the season as a dominant force with eight trophies, including Roland Garros and the US Open in 2022, and prepared with three wins from four matches for Poland in the United Cup.
Fellow 21-year-old Osario – the only Colombian woman in the top 300 – was keen to shake off the rust in her opening round.
She missed her only lead-up event in Hobart due to injury but had few problems against Panna Udvardy.
The former junior No.1, who climbed as high as world No.33 last year, faced an uphill battle if she was to surprise the top seed in their first meeting.
Swiatek had won 11 second-round Grand Slam outings on the trot.
Story of the match
Osario was determined to punch above her weight and with her upper right leg heavily strapped, she knew she could not afford to risk being run ragged.
Her plan became clear quickly as she teed off whenever the opening arose.
She had her moments but Swiatek settled fast and effortlessly slid about the blue centre stage to open up a 4-0 lead under a closed roof.
Despite patches of brilliance off the forehand wing, Osario struggled to make significant inroads on her opponent's serve early on, but on her first break-point opportunity she threw caution to the wind on a backhand down the line.
Her name was on the board and the relief was palpable in her cry of "c'mon".
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Timing the ball sweetly on the rise and with a set in the bag, Swiatek showed off her exceptional athleticism as she tore through four successive games only to falter again with the finish line in sight.
Although irked at having failed to serve out both sets at the first time of asking, the top seed was never really in doubt.
Key stats
Swiatek's return game was outstanding as she swamped the Colombian's serve, breaking six times.
She claimed 64 per cent of first-serve return points and 57 per cent on Osorio's second serves.
She was particularly dominant on shorter points, winning 39 of 55 points in rallies under five shots.
What this means for Swiatek
A big-name clash of US Open champions looms in the third round should the 2019 winner, Bianca Andreescu, gain the better of Spain's Cristina Bucsa.
Swiatek was not casting her thoughts to that possibility just yet.
The early finish afforded her a night off and the chance to change up her dining routine.
As she departed, she signed the camera lens with the all-important question: "Sushi or steak tonight?"
"Tonight I'm for sure going to have a free evening and it's going to be much nicer because yesterday I was already thinking about the match, so I'm going to try to enjoy it," she said.
"Maybe tonight a nice dinner because I've been eating sushi for the whole week and I can't look at it anymore."
DRAW: Australian Open 2023 women's singles
While not the superstitious type, the Pole admitted the music she used to amp herself up before matches had become a little tired.
The shake-up in tunes had served her well through two rounds.
"I actually just changed my playlist before the match and I was listening to the same songs for two years, so it was tough but it's working," she said. "Hopefully these songs aren't going to mess up my head."
What's next for Osorio?
Following a first-up defeat to Naomi Osaka at Melbourne Park last year, Osorio sank her competitive teeth into this match.
Provided she remains injury-free through 2023 she should be confident of a return to the top 40 and passing the second round at a major for only the second time after Wimbledon 2021.