(August 29, 2024) FLUSHING, NY – No. 1 seed Iga Swiatek’s biggest challenge on Thursday in her 6-0, 6-1 win over qualifer Ena Shibahara was not winning the almost 14-minute lone game that her Japanese opponent won in the second set. It took a mere 65 minutes forthe woman from Poland to advance to the third round of the US Open. Swiatek won more than half of the points players at 60-29, losing a mere seven points in the first set.
“I used yesterday to practice a little bit and get my rhythm,” Swiatek said in her news conference. “I felt like I can play in a much more solid way, and I was making for sure better decisions.”
“It’s not like I need to do that much work because I kind of have the tools, but sometimes it’s just hard to use them,” she added. “I couldn’t really focus well on my first-round match, and I wanted to improve that.
“I gave myself time and acceptance that it may not be perfect, but step by step I can, have better focus and have better mindset. Today it was for sure a little bit better.”
Fourth seed and former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina withdrew from the tournament on Thursday due to injury, putting French qualifier Jessika Ponchet into Round 3.
Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic retired three points into her match agains the fifth seed Jasmine Paolini of Italy. For Paolini, it’s her first trip to the third round at the US Open.
No. 6 seed, American Jessica Pegula advanced with a 7-6, 6-3 win over 2020 Australian Open champ Sonia Kenin.
American Ashlyn Krueger upset Russian Mirra Andreeva, the 21st seed 6-1, 6-4 to reach the third round.No. 31 seed Katie Boulter of Great Britain fell to Jessica Bouzas of Spain 7-5, 7-5.
Other women’s seeds advancing were No. 15 Anna Kalinskaya, No. 16 Liudmilla Samsonova, No. 18 Diana Schnaider and No.. 30 Yulia Putintseva.
In men’s action, No. 1 Jannik Sinner is in the final 32. The Italian beat 6-4, 6-0, 6-2 in Ashe Stadium. I’m looking to get better now in the next days.
“I had small practice session after the match, so, you know, trying to keep going, trying to understand what works here best on these courts. Yeah, let’s see what I can do in the next round.”
Other seeded men advancing: No. 25 Jack Draper, and No. 30 Matteo Arnaldi.
Upsets: No. 7 Hubert Hurkacz and No. 16 Sebastien Korda.
More to follow….
