(September 1, 2023) FLUSHING, NY – No. 1 Iga Swiatek has been cruising through the US Open draw dishing out breadsticks and bagel. She served one each on Friday, dismantling friend Kaja Juvan of Sovenia 6-0, 6-1 in Louis Armstrong Stadium.

The Polish woman talked about the match to media, especially beatibf such a close friend:

“For sure it wasn’t an easy match for her. Emotionally as well it’s not easy to, like, play with such a score.

“But I really just wanted to focus on myself and I think also because I knew that it’s going to be a little bit harder for me to focus because she’s my best friend, I was actually more focused than usual.

“I’m happy that I could do that and I was like fully professional. Usually on a match when something like that happens, I don’t really look and I did the same this time as well.”

Swiatek talked about the differences between playing in Arthur Ashe Stadium, other US Open courts and other majors.

“Oh, wow, any stadium here I feel like it’s louder than any other place,” the 22-year-old Swiatek said. “For sure you need to focus a little bit more.

“Ashe, the atmosphere is amazing. I remember last year my main focus was not to get distracted because you can see all the celebrities, and it’s like you can see that it’s fully entertainment what we do out there, you know.

“And it’s a nice place to play and really exciting. For sure you have to also learn how to deal with all that.”

The world No. 1 plays Jelena Ostapenko in the fourth round. The Latvian stoppen American Bernarda Pera 4-6, 6-3, 6-3.

Ostapenko leads there head-to-head 3-1.