Defending or chasing a Grand Slam title often hinges not only on talent but composure—something Iga Swiatek demonstrated emphatically during a rollercoaster third-round clash at the US Open. The world number two found herself in serious trouble as she trailed Australia’s Anna Kalinskaya 1–5 in the opening set under the bright lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium. A repeat of Kalinskaya’s stunning upset in Dubai last year seemed possible—until Swiatek flipped the script with nerve and tactical clarity.
In a match marred by errors—67 unforced errors and nine service breaks combined—the six-time Grand Slam champion steadied herself when it mattered most. Swiatek saved four set points before dominating the tiebreak 7–2. She then broke late in the second set to seal a 7–6(2), 6–4 victory—her 20th Grand Slam match win of the season, drawing level with Aryna Sabalenka.
What stood out wasn’t just her shot-making—it was her mental resilience. “At 5–1 … it’s easy to panic,” she acknowledged, “and I didn’t. So that’s good.” After regrouping, she focused on two technical adjustments that helped reduce her error count and regain control. This win marks her return to the fourth round for the fifth straight year, where she’ll face 13th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova.
Interestingly, this match wasn’t an isolated moment of survival—Jannik Sinner displayed similar grit in his own third-round battle, reinforcing a theme of resilience sweeping this US Open.
What this means for Swiatek’s campaign
- A boost of confidence: Overcoming such adversity strengthens the psychological edge. Swiatek’s ability to claw back shows she remains mentally formidable—a crucial asset in the deeper stages of any Grand Slam.
- Pressure climbs for Sabalenka: With Swiatek drawing level on Grand Slam wins this season, the spotlight intensifies on Sabalenka to justify her world number one status.
- Matchup dynamics ahead: Her next opponent, Ekaterina Alexandrova, awaits. Swiatek holds a slight 5–2 head-to-head lead. If form holds, a quarterfinal berth could be just around the corner.
Swiatek’s performance serves as a reminder that Grand Slam victory is built as much on mental toughness and adaptability as on raw power. This match was far from vintage, but the comeback was. Now, momentum restored, Swiatek charges into the second week—Let’s see what she does next.
