US Open: Iga Swiatek Advances to Fourth Round After Thrilling Win

Iga Swiatek battles past Kalinskaya to reach US Open Last 16

Iga Swiatek rallies from 5-1 down to beat Anna Kalinskaya 7-6(2), 6-4 at the US Open. Read more about her impressive win...

“When the ball was easier, I played too long sometimes. I wanted to keep the margins, I guess, to not make unforced errors...”

Iga Swiatek had a nail-biter against Anna Kalinskaya at the US Open, nearly losing her cool under the bright lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium. The world number two rallied from a 5-1 deficit in the first set to win 7-6(2), 6-4, showcasing her championship mettle. Kalinskaya had four set points but couldn't capitalize, allowing Swiatek to claw her way back into the match.

Swiatek admitted she had nothing to lose when she was down 5-1 and decided to play more aggressively, which paid off. “I felt like I had nothing to lose because I was losing pretty badly. So, at the end (of the first set), I just went for it,” Swiatek said, reflecting on her thought process during the match. This strategic shift allowed her to dominate the tiebreaker and secure the win.

The victory wasn't without its emotional toll on Kalinskaya, who broke down in tears after the match. Despite her strong performance, she couldn't quite overcome Swiatek's determination. The Russian player had pushed Swiatek hard, but ultimately, the Pole's experience and skill won out. Swiatek now advances to the fourth round to face Ekaterina Alexandrova.

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“Well, for sure it wasn't the easy match, especially after the beginning,” a relieved Swiatek said.

“I'm happy that I came back and started playing better, because for sure I did some mistakes in the beginning of the first set that I wish didn't happen.”

Iga Swiatek's match against Anna Kalinskaya was far from perfect, with both players combining for nine breaks and 67 unforced errors. Despite the scrappy nature of the contest, Swiatek's mental toughness ultimately paid off. She rallied from a 5-1 deficit in the first set to win 7-6(2), 6-4, showcasing her ability to perform under pressure.

Swiatek's victory was more about grit than finesse, as she steadied herself at crucial moments to outlast Kalinskaya. The 2022 US Open champion demonstrated her championship experience, capitalizing on her opponent's mistakes and holding her nerve in the tiebreaker. Swiatek's ability to adapt and persevere proved decisive in the end.

The match's high error count reflected the intense and physical nature of the contest. Kalinskaya pushed Swiatek hard but ultimately couldn't sustain her level of play. Swiatek now advances to the fourth round, where she'll face Ekaterina Alexandrova, seeking to maintain her momentum in the tournament.

Iga Swiatek staged an impressive comeback against Anna Kalinskaya at the US Open, saving four set points in the first set and dominating the tiebreaker 7-2. She then broke late in the second set to secure a 7-6(2), 6-4 win, marking her 20th major match win of the season. This achievement puts her on par with defending champion and world number one Aryna Sabalenka.

Swiatek credited her mental toughness for the win, saying, “At 5-1 or something, it's easy to panic, and I didn't. So that's good.” When Kalinskaya surged to a 5-1 lead, Swiatek shifted her strategy, deciding to take more risks and “just go for it” in the tiebreaker. This tactical adjustment paid off, allowing her to overcome Kalinskaya's strong play.

The match was emotionally taxing for Kalinskaya, who broke down in tears after the match, clearly impacted by her narrowly missed opportunity to cause an upset. Swiatek, meanwhile, remains focused on her campaign, next facing Ekaterina Alexandrova in the fourth round. With a 4-2 head-to-head advantage over Alexandrova, Swiatek is optimistic about her chances of advancing further in the tournament

“I focused on, like, two technical things that I figured out might help me,” she said.

“When the ball was easier, I played too long sometimes. I wanted to keep the margins, I guess, to not make unforced errors.”

Iga Swiatek's thrilling comeback win against Anna Kalinskaya sends her to the last 16 of the US Open for the fifth consecutive year. Next up, she'll face 13th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova in the fourth round. Swiatek holds a 4-2 head-to-head advantage over Alexandrova, but their hard-court record is evenly split at 2-2, setting the stage for a potentially intense matchup.