ROME — Three-time champion Iga Swiatek defeated Jessica Pegula in straight sets to advance to the Italian Open semifinals Wednesday.

The fourth-ranked Swiatek needed just 67 minutes to sweep aside Pegula 6-1, 6-2. Swiatek’s impressive form bodes well for the upcoming French Open, which she has won four times. She will next face another former Rome champion in Elina Svitolina, who fought back to beat second-seeded Elena Rybakina 2-6, 6-4, 6-4.

In the men’s quarterfinals, Casper Ruud overcome Karen Khachanov 6-1, 1-6, 6-2. The match was suspended for more than two hours at the start of the second set because of rain. Ruud will face either 19-year-old Rafael Jodar of Spain or Italian player Luciano Darderi in the semifinals.

Williams will play doubles

PARIS — Venus Williams will play in the women’s doubles at the French Open this month together with Hailey Baptiste, who is 21 years her junior.

The American pair were among the entrants confirmed on Wednesday by organizers for the clay-court tournament at Roland-Garros, which begins on May 24 in western Paris.

The 45-year-old Williams will not play in the women’s singles. Williams was a wild-card entry at the Australian Open, where she lost in the first round and became the oldest woman to compete in an Australian Open singles main draw.