NEW YORK — Iga Swiatek is on a mission to achieve a feat not accomplished by any woman since Serena Williams in 2012: clinching both the US Open and Wimbledon in a single season.
Meanwhile, Jannik Sinner aims to replicate a remarkable achievement last seen in 2008 when Roger Federer successfully defended his US Open title.
If Tuesday’s action at Arthur Ashe Stadium is any indication, both players, fresh off their victories at the All England Club, appear primed for another strong showing in New York. And it’s looking impressive.
The second-seeded Swiatek was the first to take to the main court, dispatching Emiliana Arango of Colombia in just one hour with a score of 6-1, 6-2. Following her, top seed Sinner continued the trend, dominating his match against Vit Kopriva from the Czech Republic in a mere 39 minutes, winning 6-1, 6-1, 6-2.
“Every year presents its own challenges,” Sinner remarked, sporting the white arm sleeve he donned after sustaining an elbow injury during Wimbledon. “Starting this tournament, I aimed to do my best, and I think I succeeded.”
He showed no signs of the virus that forced him to withdraw during the Cincinnati Open final against his fierce rival, No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz, just a week prior.
Either Sinner or Alcaraz could seize the top ATP ranking within the next 15 days. Likewise, Swiatek, Coco Gauff, or No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, the defending champion, have the chance to emerge from New York at the summit of the WTA rankings.
On Tuesday, Sinner successfully saved the two break points he faced and won an impressive 33 out of 40 first-serve points.
Swiatek was even more formidable, never facing a break point and not even going to deuce in any of her eight service games, while amassing an impressive 26-5 advantage in winners.
There was a time when some doubted Swiatek’s ability to perform on the faster surfaces of hard and grass courts, influenced by her dominance on the red clay of Roland Garros. However, her triumphs at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open in previous years have silenced those critics.
In recent years, ten different women have claimed the championship in New York, with only Naomi Osaka winning multiple titles in 2018 and 2020. Williams was the last woman to be crowned champion in consecutive years, with three victories from 2012 to 2014.
As for the men, no player has managed to win two championships back-to-back at the U.S. Open since Federer’s five consecutive titles from 2004 to 2008, prior to his defeat in the 2009 final against Juan Martin del Potro.
Sinner was questioned about the challenges of repeating as champion.
“As the season nears its end, many players experience fatigue or varying feelings. Many factors can influence the results. This is also the final major trophy of the year… I always mention that the future is unpredictable,” he said. “What happens here is uncertain.”
What other events took place at the US Open on Tuesday?
Notable seeded winners included 2023 U.S. Open champion Coco Gauff, No. 8 Amanda Anisimova, No. 18 Beatriz Haddad Maia, No. 23 Naomi Osaka, and No. 27 Marta Kostyuk in the women’s draw, along with No. 3 Alexander Zverev, No. 10 Lorenzo Musetti, No. 19 Francisco Cerundolo, No. 23 Alexander Bublik — who ousted 2014 champion Marin Cilic — and No. 27 Denis Shapovalov among the men. Gauff triumphed over Ajla Tomljanovic with a score of 6-4, 6-7 (2), 7-5, while Zverev secured victory against Alejandro Tabilo 6-2, 7-6 (4), 6-4 in a match that concluded just before 1 a.m.
What exciting matches are set for Wednesday at Flushing Meadows?
On Day 4, tennis fans can look forward to seeing Sabalenka, Alcaraz, the legendary 24-time major champion Novak Djokovic, and 2024 U.S. Open runner-up Jessica Pegula in action as the second round commences.
