Iga Swiatek cruised into the US Open second round with a 6-1 6-2 win over Emiliana Arango, continuing her record of never losing an opening round match at Flushing Meadows.
It was also her 65th consecutive opening-round win in a WTA singles match in the Open Era, breaking Monica Seles’ record.
This is also the 24th successive Grand Slam in which she has progressed to the second round, equalling Agnieszka Radwanska’s record between Roland-Garros in 2004 and the 2005 Australian Open, according to Opta.
The 2022 champion dispatched the Colombian with relative ease, and faces Suzan Lamens of the Netherlands in her next test.
Momentum turned in Swiatek’s favour when she took an early break at 3-1, as a series of errors started to creep into Arango’s game.
The signs were looking ominous when she recovered from 30-0 down to take an impressive hold, by which time she had already taken seven winners.
A double break followed, before the second seed took the first set in a mere 27 minutes that she sealed with a perfectly-executed backhand.
She was a set and a break up after the first game, and Swiatek was showing no signs of being knocked off course in a comprehensive victory.
Arango was not willing to go down without a fight though, taking an emphatic hold to love at 3-2, but it only prolonged the inevitable.
Another sweeping forehand moved the Pole 5-2 in front, and she completed the task with a hold to 15 in the space of an hour.
Speaking afterwards, she said: “The first matches aren’t easy to get used to the rhythm. It was a solid match, and I’m happy that I wasn’t trying to overpower things and I was solid.
“It’s super nice to feel the support, always. They’re [the Polish fans] coming around the world too, every place I play.
“It’s great, but I also really appreciate people that come from different countries. I feel every year it’s more. I just hope they’ll enjoy my game.”
As for Arango, the defeat continues a rather dismal record of only winning two matches in 10 previous tournaments after a spell of resurgence.
Her WTA 125 title in Cancun last February and her final appearance at the WTA 500 event in Merida were signs of progress.
A second round appearance at Roland-Garros earlier this year continued that positive momentum, but that has now stalled significantly for the 24-year-old.Watch and stream top tennis action live and on demand on TNT Sports and discovery+