Key Points

Iga Swiatek fought back from a significant deficit to secure her spot in the next round. Her opponent, Anna Kalinskaya, struggled with double faults at critical moments. Meanwhile, Naomi Osaka made a strong return to the fourth round for the first time since her last title win. This sets the stage for an exciting match between Osaka and Coco Gauff.

Key Points: Swiatek Rallies Past Kalinskaya Osaka Gauff US Open Showdown

  • Swiatek overcame a 5-1 deficit and four set points in the first set
  • Kalinskaya's 11 double faults proved costly in crucial moments
  • Osaka advances to her first US Open fourth round since her 2020 title win
  • The win sets up a marquee fourth-round clash between Osaka and Coco Gauff
2 min read

US Open: Swiatek rallies past Kalinskaya to reach fourth round, Osaka sets up Gauff showdown

Iga Swiatek stages a comeback to reach the fourth round, while Naomi Osaka sets up a blockbuster match against Coco Gauff at the US Open.

"Kalinskaya had four set points. But she double faulted on two of them, enabling Swiatek to go on a tear. - Match Report"

New York, Aug 31

Iga Swiatek overcame a slow start to defeat No. 29 seed Anna Kalinskaya 7-6 (2), 6-4 in 1 hour and 56 minutes at Arthur Ashe Stadium, advancing to the Round of 16 at the US Open for the fifth straight year.

Kalinskaya built a 5-1 lead in the first set—thanks, in part, to Swiatek’s 15 unforced errors and the No. 2 seed only landing 41% of her first serves. Leading 5-2, Kalinskaya had four set points. But she double faulted on two of them, enabling Swiatek to go on a tear.

Kalinskaya also double faulted away the 10th game to let Swiatek tie the set 5-all. The players traded breaks in the next two games, forcing a tiebreak. When Swiatek went up 5-0, Kalinskaya finally lost her cool, smashed her racket and kept playing. Swiatek punctuated the set, 7-2, by winning a seven-shot rally.

The pivotal game in the second set was the ninth. At 4-all, Kalinskaya allowed Swiatek a break point with her 11th double fault of the match. Swiatek seized the moment, went up 5-4, and served (successfully) for the match.

Swiatek, who is trying to be the first woman since Serena Williams in 2012 to win Wimbledon and the US Open in the same year, will now face No. 13 Ekaterina Alexandrova in Round 4.

Earlier, two-time US Open champion and No. 23 seed Naomi Osaka defeated Daria Kasatkina

6-0, 4-6, 6-3 to advance to the fourth round.

Osaka’s return to the Round of 16 in New York is her first trip to this stage since she last won the title in 2020. She advances into Round 4 for a highly anticipated fourth-round matchup with No. 3 seed Coco Gauff, who was a 6-3, 6-1 winner over Magdalena Frech.

Elsewhere, No. 8 seed American Amanda Anisimova edged past Romania’s Jaqueline Cristian, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2.

Next up for the American is the winner of the match between Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia, the No. 18 seed, and the unseeded but dangerous Greek player Maria Sakkari.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Kalinskaya's double faults cost her the match. 11 double faults is just too many at this level. She needs to work on her serve under pressure.
A
Ananya R
So excited for Osaka vs Gauff! Two amazing players with such different styles. Hope it goes to three sets 🤞
S
Sarah B
Great to see Osaka back in form after her maternity break. Winning 6-0 in the first set shows she means business!
V
Vikram M
Swiatek trying to do what Serena did in 2012 - that's some serious pressure. Hope she can handle it and make history!
M
Michael C
The women's draw is looking really competitive this year. So many potential champions in the mix. Great for tennis!

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50