On Thursday night, Iga Świątek gave a display of what she is capable of to the public of the Arthur Ashe Stadium at the US Open. The Pole gave a tennis lesson (6-3;6-2) to the American Sloane Stephens in the second round of the last Grand Slam of the year. 

Stephens, who won the New York tournament back in 2017, was not an easy take for Iga. The world number 1 showed she is back at her best form, especially when it comes to her game from the baseline. She needed only 1 hour and 14 minutes to seal the deal. 

An impressive day at the office for @iga_swiatek. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/2PJG6wzCCl

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 1, 2022

Świątek referred to her first-ever appearance in the Arthur Ashe stadium as a „dream come true”. 

„I just tried to have the same kind of motivation and attitude as on any other court as it’s the best way for me to perform well, but for sure it’s a lot. […] I remember when I was a junior, and I came on the highest stand to watch Serena [Williams] […] I remember these matches were great for me to watch. And just being in the stadium here, downstairs, not up there is awesome […] I’m really happy with all the progress I have made” – she said after her win. 

Her upcoming opponent is the 29-year-old American Lauren Davies, who surprised the Russian world number 28 Ekaterina Aleksandrova. The match opposing Swiątek and Davies is scheduled on Saturday at 4PM (British time).  

Image: Twitter (@WTA)

Author: Sébastien Meuwissen