Iga Swiatek Battles Past Kamilla Rakhimova in Tough US Open First-Round Match

World number one Iga Swiatek was pushed to her limits in the first round of the US Open, overcoming a determined Kamilla Rakhimova in a hard-fought 6-4, 7-6 (8-6) victory on Arthur Ashe Stadium. The match, which lasted just under two hours, saw the defending champion tested in ways she might not have expected against a lucky loser.

Swiatek, who claimed her first US Open title in 2022, came into the match with high expectations following a successful season that included a third consecutive French Open victory and an Olympic bronze medal. The Polish star seemed to be on track for a straightforward win as she raced to a 4-0 lead in the first set, showcasing the powerful groundstrokes and athleticism that have made her the world’s top player.

However, Rakhimova, who had lost in the final round of qualifying only to be given a spot in the main draw, proved to be a resilient opponent. The Russian broke back to narrow the deficit, forcing Swiatek to dig deep to close out the first set 6-4.

The second set was a tense affair, with Swiatek once again taking an early break lead, only to see it slip away as her frustration began to show. A missed forehand prompted an angry swipe at the ball, signaling the pressure she was under. Rakhimova seized on the opportunity, keeping pace with Swiatek and pushing the set to a tiebreak.

In the tiebreak, Rakhimova had three set points to force a decider, putting the top seed on the ropes. But Swiatek, known for her mental toughness, upped her aggression when it mattered most. She saved all three set points and secured the victory on her first match point, much to the relief of her supporters.

Reflecting on the match, Swiatek acknowledged the challenge she faced. "At the beginning [it was] good but then I got a little bit tight and my opponent used that, so I was trying to get back to my game," she said. "I'm pretty sure that day by day I'm going to get more rhythm."

Despite her success at other major tournaments, Swiatek has historically found it difficult to maintain momentum at the US Open, having only advanced beyond the fourth round once in her previous six appearances. That exception, of course, was her triumph in 2022. With this challenging first-round win behind her, Swiatek will look to build on her performance as she prepares for a second-round match against Japan’s Ena Shibahara.

As Swiatek continues her title defense, fans will be eager to see if she can regain the dominant form that has characterized her rise to the top of women’s tennis. For now, she has survived a significant scare, but tougher tests surely await as the tournament progresses.