Swiatek faced a tough challenge in her match against Samsonova at the U.S. Open. Samsonova started strong, holding serve the opening four times in the first set. Her powerful serves, reaching speeds of up to 117 mph, kept the world No. 1 off-balance. However, Swiatek quickly turned the tables and dominated the rest of the match, losing just one more game.
Swiatek, who won the singles title in 2022, is determined to replicate her success and claim another title. In the Round of 16, she took a step closer to her goal with a 6-4, 6-1 win. The first step in separating from Samsonova was forcing a break, which Swiatek achieved late in the first set by winning four out of five points. She then held serve to take the set and continued her momentum by winning the first five games of the second set.
In the final game, Samsonova needed to hold serve to stay in the match, and she did so. However, Swiatek clinched the win in the next game. Her third ace set up a second chance at match point, and Samsonova’s rally to a soft hit landed out, securing the victory for Swiatek.
This victory is significant for Swiatek, as last year at the same stage of the tournament, she suffered an upset loss to Jelena Ostapenko. It was a disappointing end to her bid for an encore, especially considering her previous performances in Queens. She had only reached the Round of 64 and the Round of 32, with two other appearances ending just short of the final eight.
Now, Swiatek’s journey to the final doesn’t get any easier. She will face No. 6 Jessica Pegula, who is also vying for her first Grand Slam semifinal appearance. On the other side of the draw, No. 2 seed Aryna Sabalenka, a finalist at the Open last year and in the two previous editions, is a formidable opponent. Swiatek will need to maintain her focus and determination to navigate through these challenges.
However, for now, Swiatek can celebrate her success and reflect on her ability to overcome obstacles. She has shown resilience and skill in her match against Samsonova and is proving to be a strong contender in the women’s draw at the U.S. Open.
