Swiatek survives error-filled start to reach U.S. Open second round

[August 28, 2024]  NEW YORK (Reuters) -Top seed Iga Swiatek overcame a slew of unforced errors to secure her spot in the second round of the U.S. Open with a 6-4 7-6(6) victory over Russian lucky loser Kamilla Rakhimova on Tuesday.
 
Swiatek, who counts the 2022 U.S. Open among her five Grand Slam titles, converted three of six break-point chances but also racked up 41 unforced errors en route to securing the victory in one hour and 52 minutes at Arthur Ashe Stadium. 

Tennis - U.S. Open - Flushing Meadows, New York, United States - August 27, 2024 Russia's Kamilla Rakhimova reacts during her first round match against Poland's Iga Swiatek REUTERS/Andrew Kelly

Rakhimova, who was added to the main draw as a lucky loser after another player pulled out with injury, nearly pushed the first-time meeting to a decider but squandered a trio of set points in the second-set tiebreak.

Swiatek built a 4-0 double break lead and looked poised to run away with an easy win but Rakhimova consolidated a break to get within a game before Swiatek went on to seal the first set with her third love hold of the match.

The Pole consolidated an early break with another love hold for a 3-1 lead in the second set but suddenly started showing signs of frustration as her shots were off target and Rakhimova refused to back down from the challenge.

Swiatek had a chance to serve out the match but Rakhimova broke to get to 5-5 as the second set went to a tiebreak where the Russian jumped ahead 6-3 before a slew of untimely mishits gifted her opponent the match.

"At the beginning (I felt) good but then I got a little bit tight and my opponent used it so I was trying to get back to my game," said Swiatek.

"I've just been trying to adjust to the courts, haven't, you know practised a lot so this time I just wanted to feel how it is on Arthur Ashe and I'm pretty sure day by day I am going to get more and more rhythm."

The reigning French Open champion will next face Japan's Ena Shibahara.

(Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto; Editing by Toby Davis)

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