Rome, May 8 -- Defending champion Iga Swiatek cruised through to the Italian Open third round with a crushing straight-set win over Italian wildcard Elisabetta Cocciaretto on Thursday.

Swiatek won 28 of 35 service points and did not face a break point as she wrapped up a 6-0 6-1 victory in just 52 minutes.

The Polish world number two is seeking a fourth title in five years in Rome, with 18 of her past 19 matches at the tournament being straight-set wins - the exception being when she retired from her 2023 quarter-final with Elena Rybakina.

Swiatek will play American Danielle Collins or Elena-Gabriela Ruse of Romania in the last 32.

The 23-year-old - who will bid for a fifth title in six years at the French Open later this month - has re...