The reigning World No. 1, Iga Swiatek, made a powerful statement as she started her US Open title defense with an exceptional performance. Facing Rebecca Peterson of Sweden in the opening round at Arthur Ashe Stadium, Swiatek showcased her dominance with a commanding 6-0, 6-1 victory.
Throughout the match, Swiatek demonstrated her remarkable skills on the court. She fired off an impressive 20 winners and served four aces, leaving Peterson struggling to keep up. Despite expressing fatigue after recent losses in the semifinals of the Montreal and Cincinnati tournaments, Swiatek showed no signs of weakness. With an ace in the first game, she set the tone for the match, swiftly taking control of the first set.
In the early stages of the second set, Swiatek displayed some vulnerability, accumulating more unforced errors and facing triple break point in the first game. However, she quickly regained her composure and showcased her resilience by fighting back to hold her serve. Her determination paid off as she hit an unstoppable backhand shot to break Peterson’s serve in the fourth game, leading to a remarkable 10-point winning streak.
Rebecca Peterson struggled to regain her composure and mount a comeback against the dominant display from Swiatek. Only managing to produce two winners throughout the match, Peterson found herself unable to match her opponent’s intensity. Swiatek sealed her victory in style, closing out the match with a scorching backhand down the line. Pumping her fist in celebration, Swiatek left no doubt as to why she has held the No. 1 ranking since April 2022.
In her post-match interview, Swiatek expressed her satisfaction with her performance and her ability to handle the pressure and expectations. She credited her solid preparation and focus in practice for her successful start to the tournament. Despite the weight of being the defending champion, Swiatek clearly demonstrated that she is capable of enjoying herself on the court and performing at the highest level.
In another match on Monday, No. 8 seed Maria Sakkari suffered an early exit from the US Open. She was defeated 6-4, 6-4 by Rebeka Masarova, who impressed with her ability to convert all three break-point opportunities. Masarova claimed her first career win over a top-10 player, shaking up the tournament and proving that anything can happen on the grand stage of the US Open.
Iga Swiatek’s opening-round performance at the US Open showcased her dominance and reinforced her status as the World No. 1. With her skill, strength, and winning mentality, Swiatek made a strong statement to her competitors. As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Swiatek to see if she can maintain her exceptional form and successfully defend her US Open title.
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