"Better to go eat some risotto" - Iga Swiatek jokes about ditching Aryna Sabalenka-Danielle Collins late-night Italian Open SF clash

Iga Swiatek came up with quite a hilarious response when she was asked about the prospect of staying up late to watch the second Italian Open semifinal encounter between Aryna Sabalenka and Danielle Collins.

Swiatek endured a slow start to her 11th-career match against Coco Gauff in Rome on Thursday (May 16), being broken in her first service game to trail 0-2. She would break back immediately, though, before breaking serve again in the ninth game of the match en route to taking the opening set 6-4.

Iga Swiatek broke Gauff's serve twice in the second set, allowing her to complete a comprehensive 6-4, 6-3 win in one hour and 43 minutes. During her on-court interview at the Foro Italico, the Pole fielded an interesting question: whether she would be watching the semifinal clash between Aryna Sabalenka and Danielle Collins in the late night.

In response, the World No. 1 jokingly said that she was better off treating herself to risotto than to watch her rivals' match. She added that her coach Tomasz Wiktorowski will likely watch it, so that they can come up with a strategy later.

"I think it's too late. It's better to go eat some risotto or something, so just that. For sure my coach will watch and we'll get ready," Iga Swiatek said.

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Iga Swiatek on making tennis history: "I’m just living my life day by day"

Iga Swiatek pumps her fist during her Italian Open SF against Coco Gauff

During the interview, Iga Swiatek was also asked whether she thinks about her place in tennis history. The World No. 1 replied that she prefers taking it one step at a time since that approach doesn't put unnecessary pressure on her.

"Honestly I’m not really thinking about that because it’s kind of a lot. I’m just living my life day by day. I think it’s easier that way. It makes you play more relaxed and more freely. I’m just gonna try to play the best tennis as possible in the final."

The 22-year-old then praised both Sabalenka and Collins, stating that their power-packed games mean that she will have to be at her A-game during the Italian Open final.

"If I take it easy and step by step, I think it’s gonna be better than if I’m thinking about winning already," she added. "Whoever’s gonna be in the final, they’re both great players.. really intense tennis. Still a long way to win. Still a lot of work to do."