New York, Aug. 29 -- World No. 2 Iga Swiatek was made to dig deep before overcoming Dutch qualifier Suzan Lamens 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 to reach the third round of the US Open here today.
The 24-year-old Pole, who won the title at Flushing Meadows in 2022, looked untouchable early on, racing through the opening set in just over half an hour with sharp returns and relentless baseline play. Lamens, despite landing nearly 70 per cent of her first serves, struggled to win points on them and conceded seven double faults as Swiatek stamped her authority.
But the Dutchwoman, ranked 66, fought back admirably in the second set, taking advantage of Swiatek's dip in rhythm. She broke the Pole twice, including on a double fault at set point, to level the cont...