US Open: Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka reach quarters

Aryna Sabalenka came close to being knocked out of the US Open in the second-round clash against Kaia Kanepi of Estonia. However, she bounced back from 2-6, 5-1 down to stay in the tournament.

Danielle Collins was the stronger player in the opening set. She fired 12 winners to eight unforced errors compared to eight unforced errors by Aryna Sabalenka to clinch the first set 3-6.

The 24-year-old Belarusian had to take a medical timeout in the second set due to an issue with her left leg.

Both players traded powerful strikes in the second set. Aryna Sabalenka held serve at 4-3 as the American struggled to find her first-set momentum. She pushed through and lost just two games throughout the rest of the match en route to a 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory.

Aryna Sabalenka served eight aces, won 60% of the points on the first serve and broke the serve of Kaia Kanepi six times from 15 opportunities to secure her victory after two hours and 29 minutes of play.

In contrast, Danielle Collins served three aces, won 57% of the points on the first serve and committed 11 double faults.

Aryna Sabalenka will lock horns with Karolína Plíšková of the Czech Republic in a quarterfinal clash of the US Open on September 7.

She has not won against Karolína Plíšková since 2018, and three of their last four matches went to four sets. Karolína Plíšková also defeated the Belarusian in the semifinals of Wimbledon and Montreal Open the previous year.

Karolína Plíšková advanced to the quarterfinal after beating Victoria Azarenka of Belarus 7-5, 6-7(5-7), 6-2 in the fourth round of the US Open on September 6.

Iga Swiatek beats Jule Niemeier to book a quarterfinal spot

World No. 1 Iga Swiatek advanced to the quarterfinal of the US Open after securing a 2-6, 6-4, 6-0 victory over Jule Niemeier of Germany at the Louis Amstrong Stadium.

Two-time French Open champion Iga Swiatek had won her last four matches with straight-set victories, but Jule Niemeier broke the Pole in the opening game and clinched the set 2-6.

Jule Niemeier continued with her momentum to get the first break of the second set with a beautiful cross-court forehand return. However, Iga Swiatek immediately broke back with an excellent forehand valley to make it 2-2 before clinching the set 6-4.

The 21-year-old Pole finished the match with a third-set bagel to secure a quarterfinal berth as her German opponent made 14 unforced errors in the final set.

After the victory, Iga Swiatek said, “I’m just proud that I didn’t lose hope. I had a hard time pushing her back. I’m pretty glad it worked. I used my experience to keep my level the whole match.”

Iga Swiatek will face Jessica Pegula of the United States in the quarterfinals of the US Open on September 7.