Cocciaretto wins in third set and flies to second round: now stellar challenge with Swiatek

A victory of heart, determination and talent for Elisabetta Cocciaretto who, with her success over Elina Avanesyan, gained access to the second round of the Internazionali d’Italia. The Marche player beat the number 38 in the WTA rankings in three sets with a score of 6-2, 4-6, 6-1, at the end of an intense and hard-fought match, earning her a chance to face the world number 2, Poland’s Iga Swiatek.

For Cocciaretto this is the third career victory at the Foro Italico, after those obtained in the 2023 and 2024 editions, confirming a growing feeling with the Roman red clay. Today’s success also has a special meaning for Italian tennis: it is the second tricolor seal in the women’s tournament after the one obtained by Lucia Bronzetti in day 1, in a context marked by numerous Italian eliminations, including those of Sara Errani, Nuria Brancaccio, Arianna Zucchini, Giorgia Pedone and Federica Urgesi.

The match against Avanesyan saw Cocciaretto start strong, dominating the first set with authority. In the second set, the Armenian managed to turn the tide, taking advantage of a few too many errors by the Italian. But in the third set, Cocciaretto regained her rhythm, solidity and aggressiveness, closing with a clear 6-1 that certifies a high-level performance.

Now, the wait is all for the second round, where Elisabetta will face one of the queens of the circuit, Iga Swiatek. The two have never met before, and although the task appears daunting, Cocciaretto will be able to count on the support of the home crowd and a physical and mental condition that appears to be on the rise.

A challenge that promises to be a spectacle, against a Swiatek who is back from a 6-1,6-1 straight set loss at the Madrid Masters 1000 to Coco Gauff.