Iga Swiatek, after a somewhat unconvincing performance against Anna Kalinskaya, has returned to her dominant ways.
She crushed Ekaterina Alexandrova in straight sets, 6-3, 6-1, to reach yet another US Open quarter-final.
In doing so, the former world number one has set up a rematch of the Wimbledon final earlier this summer, where she demolished Amanda Anisimova in embarrassing fashion.
Such was the manner of her beatdown that it actually provoked many to call for a change of the rules of tennis to allow players more time to adjust.
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Iga Swiatek will be hoping to mirror that performance again, this time in front of Anisimova’s home crowd.
However, before that intensity and ruthlessness becomes the overwhelming topic of discussion, the 24-year-old provided a lighthearted on-court interview which is worth a listen.
What Iga Swiatek instantly did after reaching US Open quarter-finals
Especially considering the way in which she analysed her game, and gave a short line to the interviewer, which actually reveals so much about just how hard working she is.
Swiatek began by revealing who she was texting immediately after beating Alexandrova, as she claimed: “Oh, uh, just my coach. Um, yeah, I asked him to book like 10 minutes of practice court if it’s possible.”
She then rated her performance, outlining what she liked most about it: “I would say the intensity and the focus for sure.
“At the beginning, I felt like, I don’t know, like she played really fast and also the court is a bit different, so I wanted to find my rhythm, but later on, I just felt like I’m really in my bubble and in the zone and sometimes I was making, like, risky decisions and I think I forced the ball kind of to go in.
“So I’m just happy with the quality and with my serve as well.”
Swiatek concluded by admitting that, whilst clay remains her favourite surface, the others are growing on her: “Well, um, now I like all of them, which is weird. But for sure, you know, that Clay court season has always been my favourite.
“But like, people make it pretty hard for me, you know. I mean, with all the pressure around, so I think sometimes it’s just easier to enjoy the surfaces where it’s harder to play, but you have more kind of freedom to just make mistakes and accept them.
“So it depends. I would say every month is different and I can play on every surface if I feel good with my game and in my head, I feel confident, so, yeah, I’ll just try to play good throughout the whole year.”
Amanda Anisimova will be out for revenge against Iga Swiatek
Given that just last week Anisimova stated that she wanted to play Swiatek again at the US Open, it’s great that she will finally get that chance.
And, for the American, this gives her a fine opportunity not only to move on from that devastating Wimbledon clash, but to genuinely threaten the six-time Grand Slam champion in an environment without the pressure that a Grand Slam final brings.
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After all, she has the tools to trouble Swiatek, but she just could not get going on Centre Court.
This will likely be a far fairer reflection on the level they both possess, with Anisimova certain to be desperate to get revenge after failing to get a single game in their last meeting.