Polish tennis player Iga Swiatek survived a major scare on Thursday, rallying from a set down to defeat American world number 208 Caty McNally 5-7, 6-2, 6-1 and secure her place in the third round at Wimbledon .
The Polish star, seeded eighth and a five-time Grand Slam winner, was in danger of joining a growing list of early exits after dropping the opening set on Centre Court. With five of the tournament's top 10 women's seeds already out, Swiatek risked becoming another high-profile casualty.
However, the 24-year-old composed herself and turned the match around in impressive fashion, dominating the next two sets to safely advance.
While Swiatek triumphed as a junior at the All England Club , success on grass has proven elusive at the senior level. None of her 22 career WTA titles have come on the surface, and she has never progressed beyond the quarter-finals in five previous appearances at Wimbledon.
Speaking after her comeback win, Swiatek said her recent form had renewed her belief on grass.