World number one Iga Swiatek was given a monumental scare at Flushing Meadows, narrowly avoiding a stunning second-round exit at the hands of the formidable Amanda Anisimova. The Polish superstar was forced to dig deep into her reserves of grit and skill to clinch a hard-fought 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory in a match that stretched late into the New York night.
The contest on a buzzing Arthur Ashe Stadium saw a resurgent Anisimova, who has recently returned to the tour after a break for her mental health, produce some of her best tennis. The American powerhouse came out swinging, overpowering Swiatek in the first set with her aggressive, flat groundstrokes and fearless returning.
A Champion's Response
Facing a potential upset, the top seed demonstrated exactly why she has held the top ranking for so long. Swiatek regrouped and recalibrated her strategy, finding more length on her shots and beginning to tame Anisimova's power. She broke early in the second set and never looked back, levelling the match and forcing a decider.
The final set was a tense, nail-biting affair with both players trading heavy blows from the baseline. The key moment came when Swiatek secured a crucial break of serve, finally gaining the upper hand in the gripping contest. She served out the match to love, sealing her place in the third round after over two hours of intense battle.
Respect and Resilience
In her post-match interview, Swiatek was full of praise for her opponent's performance and her courageous return to the sport. "I know she's had a tough time, so I'm really happy to see her back and playing so well," Swiatek remarked.
This victory keeps Swiatek's quest for a second US Open title firmly on track, but the match served as a stark reminder of the depth of talent on the WTA tour. For Anisimova, despite the defeat, her performance signals a hugely promising comeback, proving she can once again compete with the very best in the world.
