Wimbledon 2026 Women’s Day 4

Iga Swiatek maintained emotional control 48 hours after a tearful opening win at Wimbledon, with the six-time Grand Slam winner defeating 2021 finalist Karolina Pliskova 6-1, 6-3 to advance to the third round on Thursday.

Defending champion Swiatek, a former world No. 1 like her Czech opponent, said she was “feeling more stable, the first round was really emotional.

‘Today was just another day in the office. I needed to be ready to make good decisions.”

After her opening win on Tuesday, the third-seeded Pole buried her face in a towel but never really explained her situation.

She got back on track against Pliskova, now ranked 73rd after 2025 ankle surgery and a start this season standing outside of the top 1000.

Swiatek moved through in 70 minutes with 17 winners while her opponent committed 23 unforced errors.

“Today was a good day for sure. I had a good level of focus. I’m happy with the performance,” Swiatek said.

“It was tricky with the wind, sometimes the ball would land low and far away. But I played well and was able to control the match.

“I always believed that I could be the more solid player on the court.”

Last season’s runner-up Amanda Anisimova got out of trouble for a 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (3) defeat of Sonia Kenin,,now ranked outside the top 100. 

Madison Keys eliminated the final British hope on the fourth day of competition, putting out Katie Swan 6-1, 6-4.

The match was watched by some notable spectators, with HRH Kate watching her namesake; she was flanked by Sir Andy Murray and former Fed Cup coach and player Anne Keothavong.

“I heard after that she was there. It’s probably a good thing I didn’t know, otherwise I might have been a bit more nervous,” Swan said.

“It’s incredible to know that she was watching me play.”

Swan called the presence of royalty in the stands “very surreal.”

“She’s such an inspiring person. I would love to meet her if possible one day, but to know that she even knows who I am is pretty cool.

“I wish I could have had a better result with her supporting me, but, I mean, it’s amazing to know that she was there.”

Alexandra Eala ended the dream run of Serena Williams conqueror Maya Joint, as the Filipina staged a comeback to move into the third round 3-6, 6-2, 6-0. 

Eala will now line up against Swiatek after the pair split Masters matches in 2025.

“I know how she plays because we’ve played already,” Swiatek said. “I can assume on grass that it’s even more tricky because of the surface. 

“I will prepare and I’ll be ready. It will be a good challenge for me because she doesn’t give that rhythm. I’ll need to be ready for different kinds of shots.”