TENNIS: Swiatek sees off Bouzkova to reach Australian Open third round

MELBOURNE — Iga Swiatek continued her bid for a first Australian Open title and a career Grand Slam with a convincing 6-2, 6-3 win over unseeded Marie Bouzkova on Thursday. The victory secured her spot in the third round, showing none of the sluggishness that affected her in the previous match.

The 24-year-old entered Melbourne after suffering two defeats during Poland’s successful United Cup campaign. She also needed a tough fight to overcome Chinese qualifier Yuan Yue in the second round. But Swiatek appeared to return to her best form against Bouzkova at John Cain Arena.

Swiatek controlled the first set, raising the intensity early and frequently charging the net. However, the six-time Grand Slam champion faced a challenge in the second set when Bouzkova surged to a 3-1 lead.

Swiatek quickly regained momentum, leveling the set at 3-3. She then delivered a crucial forehand winner at the net to take the lead and continued to dominate, closing out the match from there.

Swiatek will now face 31st seed Anna Kalinskaya in the third round.

-Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Melbourne; Editing by Thomas Derpinghaus/Reuters