Iga Swiatek dropped just one game as she raced past Elisabetta Cocciaretto to set up an intriguing Italian Open fourth-round meeting with Naomi Osaka.
Poland’s Swiatek is the best clay-court player of this generation, with four of her six Grand Slam titles coming at the French Open.
However, the world number three has not claimed a title on clay since her last Roland Garros triumph in 2024.
After splitting with coach Wim Fissette, who helped her win Wimbledon last year, Swiatek has teamed up with Francisco Roig, the former coach of the great Rafael Nadal.
And the 24-year-old showed glimpses of her best in a 67-minute 6-1 6-0 demolition of home hope Cocciaretto.
Swiatek, a two-time winner of the Rome title, won 76% of points behind her first serve and lost just six points behind her second.
She will now face Japan’s four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka, who has had an impressive few weeks despite not being a natural on the surface.