Laura Robson and Tim Henman, despite the hard-fought nature of her third-round win at the US Open, were both left really impressed with the former world number one.
However, it was not a performance that the 24-year-old will be proud of, and could even see her follow suit of other players who have taken straight to the practice court after a match.
After all, such is her mindset, nothing but the best is enough.
Robson in particular was left surprised by Iga Swiatek’s showing, mainly spurred on by the supreme level she has exhibited over the summer.
She spoke with Henman live on Sky Sports.
Laura Robson assesses Iga Swiatek’s third-round win at the US Open
Henman was the first to deliver his verdict, claiming: “It’s not what we have seen from Swiatek recently because she has been in such great form. But at this stage of the tournament, it’s about getting the win. It certainly wasn’t her best performance, but she is the one coming back in the next round and giving herself a chance.
“And I think that is where she has the experience, not to dwell on it too much, just to sit down with her team after the match and discuss a few elements. The great champions find a way to get the win.”
Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images
Robson concurred, as she added: “As the second set went on, it was just so surprising to see the stress.
“It has been months, it feels like, since we have seen the attitude of Iga dip like that because she is usually such a great front runner. We saw her try and add pace on the forehand, especially at times when it felt like there was no need, knowing there are times when she can rely on the physicality, lengthen out the rally and even go to the forehand slice a few times, I think would have been a smart play against Lamens, who plays such a flat ball herself.”
Mats Wilander has noticed a chance Swiatek has already made at the US Open, such is her constant drive to improve.
Iga Swiatek wins ugly after so much dominance
When Swiatek’s second-round match against Suzanne Lammers started, it seemed like it was on track to go exactly as planned.
After all, racing into a 6-1 lead, there seemed to be little hope for the Dutch player.
And yet, in an inexplicable second set, Swiatek imploded and gifted Lammers a lifeline.
Iga Swiatek has reached the third round of every single Grand Slam this decade.
She’s the only woman to do so.
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 28, 2025
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In the end, the six-time Grand Slam champion would win in three sets, but it was far from easy. She converted just six of the 12 break points she created, and was massively helped out by the weakness of her opponent’s second serve.
It was far from sparkling, but Swiatek is into the US Open third round.
After so many months of winning comprehensively, it was quite refreshing to see her win ugly for a change.