Swiatek Dominates Alexandrova in Just 64 Minutes to Advance to US Open Quarters
Swiatek secures a convincing victory over Alexandrova with a score of 6–3, 6–1 in the US Open Round of 16
As the calendar turned to September and during Labor Day festivities, Iga Swiatek efficiently sprinted into the quarterfinals of the season’s final Grand Slam, needing just over an hour to take down the 13th seed, Ekaterina Alexandrova.
The 2022 US Open champion and former world number one, Swiatek might currently sit at #2, but she is also the reigning champion at Wimbledon and the Cincinnati Masters. The twenty-four-year-old from Poland has a solid head-to-head record of 4–2 against Alexandrova, although the Russian player emerged victorious in their last encounter on hard courts earlier this year at the Miami Open.
Alexandrova, who is six years Swiatek’s senior, reached a career-high ranking of #12 this season after impressive performances at Wimbledon and Roland Garros, along with a final appearance in Monterrey and a title win in Linz.
After winning the toss, Alexandrova opted to serve but quickly stumbled with three unforced errors, facing triple break point before ultimately losing her serve. Swiatek struggled a bit, facing two double faults but managed to regain the break. Alexandrova opened the following game with an ace but also committed a double fault, finishing the game with a remarkable forehand. After a brief exchange of breaks, Swiatek regained her footing, recording her first ace and holding serve comfortably at 3–3.
As Alexandrova faced double break point once more, she faltered, and with Swiatek serving confidently, the latter easily held her serve to take the set at 6–3.
In the second set, Swiatek served first and quickly held to 30, while Alexandrova battled through a break point but managed to maintain her serve with a stunning forehand swing volley. However, Swiatek continued to dominate, mixing in several winners and aces, to take a commanding lead at 4–1.
Serving for the match, Swiatek encountered some bumps along the way but ultimately showcased her skill and tenacity. Opening with her seventh ace, trouble followed shortly with a double fault; she faced three deuce points and three break opportunities but responded with an exquisite backhand down the line, sealing her advancement to the quarterfinals for the third time in four years.
Swiatek’s performance was nothing short of spectacular, creating a sense of bewilderment for her opponent. She finished the match with seven aces, four double faults, and impressive winning percentages of 72% and 55% on her first and second serves, respectively. She notably saved 3/4 break points while converting 5/8 and struck a remarkable twenty-one winners against only thirteen unforced errors.
This match was a striking declaration from the fiercely determined champion, eager to lift the trophy once again. The identity of her quarterfinal opponent remains undecided, with the possibility of a rematch against world #9 Amanda Anisimova on the horizon, should she triumph over Beatriz Haddad Maia, the left-handed 18th seed.
