TENNIS | US OPEN 2024 | IGA SWIATEK AND DANIIL MEDVEDEV CONTINUE SEARCH FOR SECOND US OPEN TITLE ON DAY SIX
World number one Iga Swiatek continued her quest for a second US Open title with a dominant victory over Ena Shibahara. The Pole had a very awkward start to the tournament but seems to be playing better as the tournament goes on and will be boosted by the fact that on paper Swiatek isn’t the favourite to win the US Open. That means Swiatek can play with freedom and without pressure which is when the world number one plays her best tennis. Now the Pole aims to reach the second week in New York for a fourth consecutive year.
The next obstacle for Swiatek to overcome is former Roland Garros finalist Anastasia
Pavlyuchenkova. After a poor season, the world number 27 picked up her form in Cincinnati and has carried the momentum into the US Open. Pavlyuchenkova has the experience and the game to test any top player as she can be streaky especially at Grand Slams. The 33 year-old will enter this match knowing that a win over the world number one could boost her form for the rest of the season and act as a platform to achieve bigger things.
Swiatek will look to neutralize Pavlyuchenkova’s accurate returning by serving aggressively and taking the forehand as early as possible. Meanwhile Pavlyuchenkova will aim to push Swiatek behind the baseline by using depth and will look to force the shorter ball in order to finish points off at the net. This could be a testing match for Swiatek but the Pole should have too much quality and variety for Pavlyuchenkova in this match.
