New York (AFP) – Six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek reached the US Open fourth round on Saturday with a tight two-set victory over Czech Maria Bouzkova. Poland’s Swiatek, seeded eighth as she seeks to cap an erratic season with a second US Open crown, dominated both tiebreakers in a 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (7/3) victory over 25th-seeded Bouzkova, who broke Swiatek early in each set but couldn’t make the lead stand up.
“For sure it was a super tough match,” Swiatek said. “It got pretty physical, many long rallies and I had to attack many times because (Bouzkova) was defending really well, getting every ball back. Also with the wind (there were) some unforced errors that were surprising,” said Swiatek, who is nevertheless pleased with how her game is shaping up in the latter part of the year. She reached her first final of 2026 and lifted the trophy in Toronto.
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Although she then came up short in her title defense in Cincinnati, she says she’s feeling more like her old self. “In terms of the confidence, I’m happy with the progress,” she said. “It’s nicer to play tennis the way you want to play and the way that you’re supposed to.”
Swiatek could face a tough challenge in the fourth round, going up against 2024 Olympic gold medallist Zheng Qinwen. The former world number four from China had to come through qualifying after seeing her ranking dive in the wake of a lengthier than expected recovery from elbow surgery. But she pulled off a remarkable comeback to beat Madison Keys 1-6, 7-6 (7/3), 7-5 on Saturday, winning the last seven games to stun the American.
© 2024 AFP
