US Open 2024: Swiatek reaches second round despite flawed match

Iga Swiatek overcame a series of unforced errors to secure her place in the second round of the US Open with a 6-4, 7-6(6) victory over Russian Kamilla Rakhimova on Tuesday.

Swiatek, whose five Grand Slam titles include the 2022 US Open, converted three of six break points but also made 41 unforced errors in one hour and 52 minutes on her way to victory at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The No. 1 seed from Poland extended her lead to 4-0 with a double break and looked set to pull away for an easy win, but Rakhimova broke to get within a set before Swiatek won the first set with her third serve to nil in the match.

Swiatek consolidated an early break with another zero hold to take a 3-1 lead in the second set, but then suddenly showed signs of frustration as her shots missed their target and Rakhimova refused to give in to the challenge.

Swiatek had a chance to serve out the match, but Rakhimova managed a break to level at 5-5, sending the second set into a tiebreak, where the Pole fended off three set points and then sneaked into the second round.

“I felt good at the beginning, but then I got a little tense and my opponent took advantage of that, so I tried to get back to my game,” Swiatek said.

“I was just trying to get used to the courts. I haven’t trained much, so this time I just wanted to get a feel for what it’s like on Arthur Ashe. And I’m pretty sure I’m getting into the rhythm more and more every day,” she added.

The reigning French Open champion will next face either Australian Daria Saville or Japanese Ena Shibahara.