US Open: Iga Swiatek eases into 3rd round, Naomi Osaka made to work hard
Iga Swiatek brushed aside Nadia Podoroska with a commanding performance to continue her journey at the US Open. Naomi Osaka was made to work hard to edge past Katerina Siniakova in a three-set match.
by Alan Jose John · India TodayIn Short
- Swiatek won in just over an hour on Grandstand against Podoroska
- Swiatek will face either Harriet Dart or 25th seed Maria Bouzkova
- Osaka suffered a wobble in the second set to win the match
The US Open women's singles draw saw two former champions, Iga Swiatek and Naomi Osaka, negotiate tricky second-round tests to book their places in the third round. While Swiatek advanced in straight sets, Osaka had to recover from a second-set setback before sealing victory.
Swiatek defeated Podorska 6-3, 6-2, while Osaka overcame a slight wobble in the second set to down Katerina Siniakova. Osaka won the match 6-2, 5-7, 6-1.
SWIATEK CRUISES PAST PODORSKA
Playing Nadia Podoroska for the first time since their French Open semi-final meeting six years ago, World No. 8 Swiatek produced a composed display to win on Grandstand in just over an hour.
Swiatek was particularly sharp behind her first serve, landing 79 per cent and winning 78 per cent of those points. She also did not face a single break of serve.
Podoroska's best chance came late in the opening set when she earned three break points with Swiatek leading 5-3. The Pole saved them all, eventually converting her second set point after the Argentine sent a forehand wide.
There was little resistance in the second set as Swiatek raced to a 5-1 advantage before sealing the match with a superb crosscourt backhand.
Podoroska finished with 11 winners and 12 unforced errors, but Swiatek's stronger serving, returning and net play kept her in control. She will face either Harriet Dart or 25th seed Maria Bouzkova in the third round.
OSAKA SURVIVES ANOTHER SCARE
Naomi Osaka was made to work hard once again but eventually overcame Katerina Siniakova in two hours and two minutes.
The 13th seed appeared firmly in control after taking a 5-3 lead in the second set, only to lose four games in a row and allow Siniakova to level the match. Osaka then regrouped in the decider, winning it 6-1 without facing a break point.
The victory means Osaka has reached the US Open third round for the eighth time in 10 main-draw appearances. It also marks only the second season of her career, after 2018, in which she has reached the third round at all four Grand Slam tournaments.
Osaka will next meet 20th seed Elise Mertens, who defeated Maria Timofeeva 6-3, 7-6(5).
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