World No. 1 Iga Swiatek wins her third major title at the US Open
World No. 1 Iga Swiatek was happy to put away her emotions for the game.
Swiatek, a 10-time Grand Slam champion, was the first to beat defending champion Petra Kvitova. It was Kvitova’s first win over her since last year’s Wimbledon final.
“It was a tough game and I thought I had a lot of chances,” Swiatek said. “I was able to go away from her in the second game and play some amazing shots in her backhand and forehand.”
Swiatek took advantage.
“I like a lot of the tennis being played right now,” she said, “and I like the way the players seem to be more motivated.”
If ever there was a night the world was watching, it was Monday at the US Open.
Swiatek was in the top five for weeks, and Kvitova had become the talk of the grass-court season. But on this night, it was Kvitova and her coach, Laura Granville, who dominated play.
Swiatek, the ninth seed, was in the second half of a 6-4, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 win over Elina Svitolina, the second seed. Swiatek broke Svitolina before the third set was even underway.
“I don’t really know what happened,” Swiatek said. “I tried to play my game and it got worse. I got off to a bad start and then it got worse. It’s tough to explain sometimes. I just tried to play my game and I didn’t know how to play my game.”
Swiatek didn’t know how to play hers.
The 33rd-ranked Swede was a quarter of an hour from the first-
