New York, Sep 4 : World No.1 Iga Swiatek of Poland made it to the fourth round of the US Open on Sunday (IST) beating American Lauren Davis 6-3, 7-4 and kept the two-time French Open champion on course for her debut singles championship at Flushing Meadows.The world’s top-ranked Swiatek was a bit beaten in the match, but she performed well in crucial moments to match her previous best performance at the season’s final Grand Slam.The Pole had also made it to the fourth round in the previous year.
Swiatek 21 is aiming to be the first since Serena Williams to win seven titles in one year; the now retired American has achieved this feat in 2008 in the year she was also the first No.1 seed to win the US Open title.
Swiatek has been a star tennis player this year with her streak of winning 37 times bringing her the French Open crown and WTA 1000s titles in Doha, Indian Wells, Miami and Rome.
“I was unable to get my groove today,” Swiatek said about the difficult match on Sunday.”She (Davis) did a pretty good job.intelligently.I’m pretty pleased that I was able to play balls in.I’m trying to enjoy every game, even if I’m not at my best,” Swaitek was quoted by wtatennis.com.
The hard-court season in the summer however, hasn’t been all that good for Swiatek who has won only four of seven matches.
She was on fire against Davis hitting nine winners including two aces in the opening two games.The aggressive game, coupled with her flawless defence was too for Davis to take in.
Swiatek is thus undefeated against players who are not in the top 100 in Grand Slam play (15-0).She has been able to win 53 times this year and is close in on the record for the most recent time, 57 which was set in 2003 by Australian Ashleigh Barty, as per WTA.
Swiatek who was crowned the No.1-ranked player in the world in April following Barty announced her sudden retirement, praised Serena Williams’ staying power throughout her career in the midst of a highly competitive sport.
“Being in this situation (for more than five months now) I understand how difficult it can be to maintain a sense of balance and keep a focus on the right things.I believe she (Serena) performed extremely well.I’m extremely pleased for her performance, as it’s been one of my goals to remain consistent throughout my entire career, and remain top 10 for many years.
“She was No.1 for quite a long period of time, so it’s insane.I am sure that I can appreciate it a little more now, what a lot of work she is putting into this,” said Swiatek.
Swiatek will face German Jule Niemeier in the fourth round.In the quarterfinals of Wimbledon earlier in the summer, Niemeier defeated Zheng Qinwen 7-6, 6-4 7-6(5) to reach the Round of 16 in her first tournament appearance.
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