Iga Swiatek and Jannik Sinner set the tone for what promises to be a gripping US Open with their dominant first-round performances, turning day three into a statement that the expanded tournament already lives up to its hype.
Swiatek, fresh off a Wimbledon triumph and a singles title in Cincinnati, didn’t skip a beat in her opener. She breezed past Colombian Emiliana Arango 6-1, 6-2 in just about an hour, never even facing a break point. Her form is unmistakably sharp: she’s now the only woman in the Open Era to win 65 consecutive WTA opening matches, surpassing Monica Seles’s record. That victory also marked her 50th win of the season, making her the first female player to hit that milestone for four consecutive years.
Off the court Swiatek’s personality shone just as much. After learning that Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are engaged, she couldn’t hide her excitement. The long-time Swiftie even shared a personal note from Swift after her 2024 French Open win, and she’s been a regular listener of Kelce’s “New Heights” podcast. Her lighthearted press conference moments offered a break from the usual seriousness of tournament coverage and gave fans another angle on her life.
On the men’s side, defending champion Jannik Sinner also cruised into round two. He handled Czech opponent Vit Kopriva comfortably, winning 6-1, 6-1, 6-2 in just 98 minutes. What makes his performance even more impressive is that he did it just days after falling ill and withdrawing from the Cincinnati Open final and mixed doubles. Despite concerns, he didn’t show a hint of fatigue. In fact, he broke his opponent seven times, controlled the court, and has extended his hard-court Grand Slam win streak to 22 matches.
Sinner’s next match will be against Alexei Popyrin, who famously upset Novak Djokovic in last year’s US Open— a fitting early-round showdown that could bring fireworks.
These two performances really encapsulate what the newly expanded US Open is delivering: high drama, elite form, and a feast for tennis fans. The tournament has added days to accommodate growing crowds and ramped up expectations. Swiatek
There were notable extras on the program too. Coco Gauff had a tougher time in her mixed match, dropping a tight second set before closing out a 6-4, 6-7(2), 7-5 win against Ajla Tomljanovic. Meanwhile, players like Amanda Anisimova, Lorenzo Musetti, and Naomi Osaka also advanced, each with their own flair — Osaka even sported a crystal-encrusted red Nike outfit that she dubbed her “night outfit” for the lights of New York.
But it wasn’t an all-sunny start for everyone. British players Sonay Kartal and Katie Boulter suffered early exits, with Kartal in particular battling cramps in punishing New York heat before going down to Beatriz Haddad Maia.
The expanded layout of the tournament even led to some schedule juggles. For example, Linda Noskova’s match was bumped up to the main stadium after the earlier matches on court concluded quickly.
All in all day three was exactly the kind of spectacle the organizers hoped for — commanding performances from the likes of Swiatek and Sinner, dramatic moments from Gauff and Osaka, and an electric atmosphere that hints at bigger stories yet to come. The stage is set for a memorable fortnight.
