Iga Swiatek praised Lauren Davis for playing “pretty smart” and added she was glad that she was able to escape with a victory despite not playing her best. On Saturday night in New York, first-seeded Swiatek saw off 105th-ranked Davis 6-3 6-4 to progress into the US Open last-16.
Swiatek claimed the first break of the match in the second game and then held on to her serve the rest of the first set to win the opener. After losing the first set, Davis bounced back at the start of the second set as she led 4-2 through the first six games.
Down by a break, Swiatek responded by earning back-to-back breaks and winning the next four games to complete a straight-set win. “It wasn’t as smooth as in first and second round, I could not find my rhythm today,” Swiatek said.
“She played pretty smart. I’m pretty happy at the end that I could put balls in. I’m just trying to enjoy any match, even when I’m not perfect. Trying to find solutions in every situation. For sure she played totally differently than most of the players, which threw me a little bit off the rhythm.
But I’m happy I was fighting till the end.”
Swiatek on Serena Williams
On Friday, Williams’ career came to an end after losing to Ajla Tomljanovic in the US Open third round. Swiatek, who is now the face of the women’s game, is hoping to enjoy a long and successful career.
“Being in this situation, I know how tough it is sometimes to find balance and to actually stay focused on the proper things,” she said. “I think she did very well. I have huge appreciation because it’s one of my goals actually to be consistent throughout my whole career, staying Top 10 for a long, long time.
She was No 1 for a long, long time, so it’s pretty crazy. For sure, I understand it little bit more right now, how much work she has put into it”.
