WHAT HAPPENED: Seven from seven, Iga Swiatek remains undefeated in US Open Round 1 bouts. The search for Grand Slam title No. 7 is well underway.
In a sunkissed Arthur Ashe Stadium, the 2022 champion utilized her recent red-hot form to dismiss world No. 84 Emiliana Arango, 6-1, 6-2, on Tuesday at the 2025 US Open.
Bidding to become the first WTA star to triumph at Wimbledon and the US Open in the same calendar year since Serena Williams in 2012, the Pole advances to meet Dutchwoman Suzan Lamens.
Main draw debutant Arango was trying everything to disrupt the No. 2 seed’s rhythm, frequently throwing in the slice and offering up different depths of shot. However, Swiatek’s calculated striking collected a rapid 3-1 lead.
The Swiatek forehand was arching over the net, lasering line to line, moving the Colombian side to side. That stroke was the key to helping the Pole evade trouble at 0-30 to then hold for 4-1. It was relentless pressure for Arango and in just 26 minutes, she was a set down.
Swiatek’s impeccable performance was enabling her to flick from a neutral rally into offense in a split second. Arango simply had no time to think, no time to prepare her shots.
Consecutive overheads capped accurate and bruising rallies for another commanding 3-1 scoreboard.
Arango earned a rare chance at 3-2, 30-30. A looping Swiatek backhand volley was run down by the Colombian, before the world No. 2 managed to hold her ground and connect with a last-ditch backhand volley on the stretch. It was a highlight reel certainty and the catalyst to complete the ‘W’.
Heading onto court, Swiatek had an astonishing 25-1 record in major Round 1 battles. Make that 26.
WHAT IT MEANS: During her pre-tournament press conference, Swiatek wasn’t too keen to talk favorites, but after a few leisurely days in New York City, she has recharged to maintain her sizzling summer of tennis.
Tuesday’s dominant display chalked up victory No. 50 so far this season. The world No. 2 is in fine fettle due to champion runs at Wimbledon and then on the hard courts of Cincinnati.
Swiatek appears well in her groove and that spells trouble for the rest of the draw this fortnight.
“I think it was just a solid match, and so I'm happy that I can play another round here,” Swiatek said. “In 2022, it's not like I played amazing from the beginning. It was probably the toughest slam that I had to overcome a lot of challenges, and I managed to win it.
“The comfort level, it's hard to describe because the tournament is so long. You basically are here for three weeks. So obviously it's not going to be the same every day.
“I feel pretty happy with my performance in Cincinnati and trying to get some confidence from that. There are a lot of positive vibes in the team, so it's all good.”
The 24-year-old has also been putting in the hard yards with her serve and would have been pleased by the stats from Round 1. There was an 88% success rate on first serve points (landing 26 of 42) and she didn’t offer up a single break point.
MATCH POINT: Swiatek’s 24th career title at Cincinnati earlier this month is a promising omen for the Pole. The past two US Open champions have also won Cincinnati prior to jetting to New York. That’s Coco Gauff (2023) and Aryna Sabalenka (2024). Will it be a Cincy hat-trick?
Another note for Swiatek’s global fans. The six-time major winner could return to world No. 1 this fortnight, should Sabalenka fall before the quarterfinals. There’s an extra special incentive for Swiatek to capture a second US Open crown.
