World tennis No.1 Iga Swiatek kicked off her title defense at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia with a 6-3, 6-0 win over Romanian Elena-Gabriela Ruse. The 2020 French Open winner extends her winning streak to 24, the longest winning streak on the women's tour since Serena Williams won 27 matches in a row between the WTA Finals in 2014 and Madrid Open in 2015.

"I'm pretty proud I could get into the rhythm today, just take some lessons during the match and improve my game, game by game," The defending champion said in victory.

The 20-year-old Pole is seeking a fifth consecutive title at the 2022 season this week. She will face two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka for a spot of quarterfinals, as the pair have split two previous meetings on hard courts.

Former US Open champion Bianca Andreescu toughed out a 6-3, 7-6(4) win over Spain's Nuria Parrizas Diaz to reach the third round, where the Canadian will face Croatia's Petra Martic next.

Meanwhile, No.7 seed Danielle Collins of the United States powered past former World No.1 and 2020 title holder Simona Halep of Romania 7-6(1), 6-3 in the second round on Wednesday night.

The Australian Open runner-up will now contest her first meeting with compatriot Amanda Anisimova in the Round of 16.

China’s Zhang Shuai suffered a one-side defeat to Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka 6-2, 6-0 in just 49 minutes. Then the 33-year-old from Tianjin came back on the doubles side with Australian Storm Sanders, the top seeds easily past Japanese duo Eri Hozumi and Makoto Ninomiya 6-3, 6-2 to reach the quarterfinals.