Swiatek and Anisimova Secure Their Spots in the Second Week of the US Open, but Not Without a Struggle
The favorites held their ground during the night from Saturday to Sunday in the third round of the US Open. This year's Wimbledon finalists did not break the pattern, qualifying for the round of 16, though they had to fight hard to advance.
While Iga Swiatek won in two sets against Anna Kalinskaya, things could have been different when the Russian, who started the match strongly, pulled ahead to lead 5-1, then 5-2, 40-15 on her serve in the first set.
The Pole saved four set points before clinching the set in a tie-break. The second set was also tight, but the world number 2, who hit 28 winners in the match, ultimately had the final say (7-6, 6-4 in 1 hour and 56 minutes).
For a spot in the quarterfinals, she will face another Russian player, Ekaterina Alexandrova. The world number 12 crushed Laura Siegemund earlier in the day (6-0, 6-1) and has not dropped a single set since the start of the tournament.
Amanda Anisimova also advanced. Pressured by Jaqueline Cristian, the winner of the WTA 1000 in Doha earlier this season eventually found a way to win in three sets (6-4, 4-6, 6-2 in 2 hours and 9 minutes).
The world number 9 generally dominated the rallies with 37 winners (compared to 10 for the Romanian), but she also made errors (46 unforced errors).
Anisimova reaches the round of 16 at the US Open for the first time in her career and will face Beatriz Haddad Maia for a place in the quarterfinals. The Brazilian, for her part, eliminated Maria Sakkari (6-1, 6-2).
