(New York) Iga Swiatek didn’t spend much time on the court at the U.S. Open on Thursday.
The passage of the Italian Jasmine Paolini was even briefer, following an injury to her opponent.
Swiatek, the favourite, eliminated Japanese qualifier Ena Shibahara 6-0, 6-1 in 65 minutes, including a first set that lasted 23 minutes.
In the first round against Kamilla Rakhimova, Swiatek needed 72 minutes to complete the only second set, in a tiebreaker.
“I felt like the pace was a lot better,” Swiatek said. “I was a little tense in my first match. This time I just wanted to focus on the right things.”
Paolini advanced to the third round after playing just three points against Karolina Pliskova on Thursday.
PHOTO KIRSTY WIGGLESWORTH, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Jasmine Paolini
The score was 15-15 with Paolini serving when Pliskova appeared to twist her left ankle while attempting a sharp change of direction in a point she lost.
The score was then 30-15, and that’s how it ended, after Pliskova walked to her chair and asked for a therapist.
PHOTO KIRSTY WIGGLESWORTH, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Karolina Pliskova
Pliskova, a finalist in New York in 2016 and Wimbledon in 2021, removed her shoes and left sock.
The therapist examined her left foot and eventually the Czech said she could not continue the match.
She then walked laboriously toward the tunnel of Louis Armstrong Stadium.
“It’s sad. I hope she recovers quickly, because it’s ugly to leave the court like that,” Paolini said. “I don’t know what to say, because we didn’t play a match. It’s ugly for tennis.”
Paolini, seeded fifth, lost to Swiatek in the French Open final in June and to Barbora Krejcikova in the final round at Wimbledon in July.
In the next round, she will face Yulia Putintseva, 30.e seeded.
Before this season, Paolini, 28, had never advanced beyond the second round of a Grand Slam tournament, in 16 occasions.
She also had a 1-4 record at Flushing Meadows, where she reached the second round in 2021. She was eliminated in the first round in 2020, 2022 and 2023.
“Finally on the third lap (here),” Paolini said, his arms and head raised to the sky. “Finally!”
American Jessica Pegula, seeded sixth, prevailed 7-6 (4), 6-3 at the expense of Sofia Kenin, a compatriot.
Pegula had great success in 2024, triumphing in Toronto and making the final in Cincinnati.
Naomi Osaka seemed on the verge of forcing a third set before losing her nerve to Karolina Muchova, who won 6-3, 7-6 (5).
PHOTO CHARLY TRIBALLEAU, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Karolina Muchova
Osaka made a series of unforced errors with her forehand and shortly after, her rival secured her place in the third round.
Osaka has won two titles at the American leg of the Grand Slam, among her four prestigious trophies.
She was WTA No. 1, although she is now ranked 88.e.
In between, she took mental health breaks and became a mother.
Osaka’s only break gave her a 5-4 lead in the second set, much to the delight of the crowd.
But after hitting a 119-mile-per-hour ace for 40-0, everything fell apart for the Japanese. She missed five forehands and double-faulted, leaving herself broken.
Muchova, a 28-year-old Czech, then sealed the win in the deadlock break.
“It’s a little bit difficult because I take these losses very personally,” Osaka said. “It might sound dramatic, but I feel like my heart goes out every time I lose. It’s very frustrating, but I’m trying to be mature and talk about it more.”
She also expressed her nervousness at crucial moments of the match.
“Maybe I need to play some more matches and get more used to the feeling, especially in such a big tournament,” Osaka added. “But beyond the disappointment, I’m very proud that I gave myself so many chances, even if I think I could have played a lot better.”
Muchova reached the New York semi-final in 2023, losing to Coco Gauff.
Shortly after, she left the circuit due to an injury to her right wrist, which required surgery in October.
She only returned to action in June and last month she was beaten in the first round at Wimbledon.
“My biggest win this year is being able to play again,” she said. “Coming back here is just the cherry on top.”
PHOTO PAMELA SMITH, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Elena Rybakina
2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina has withdrawn due to an undisclosed injury.
Frenchwoman Jessika Ponchet, who came through qualifying, will therefore have the opportunity to play this weekend.
“Unfortunately, I have to withdraw due to my injuries,” Rybakina said in a statement.
“I didn’t want to finish the last Grand Slam tournament like this, but I have to listen to my body. I hope to complete the rest of the year with strength.”
The results of the 4e daytime
2e tour (women’s singles)
- Anna Kalinskaya (15), Russia beats Anna Bondar, Hungary, 6-2, 6-4.
- Diana Shnaider (18), Russia, defeats Clara Tauson, Denmark, 6-4, 6-4.
- Yulia Putintseva (30), Kazakhstan, defeats Wang Xinyu, China, 6-1, 7-6 (4).
- Jasmine Paolini (5), Italy, defeats Karolina Pliskova, Czech Republic, 0-0, retirement
- Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, Spain, beat Katie Boulter (31), Great Britain, 7-5, 7-5.
- Ashlyn Krueger, United States, defeated Mirra Andreeva (21), Russia, 6-1, 6-4.
- Sara Errani, Italy, def. Caroline Dolehide, United States, 7-5, 7-5.
- Beatriz Haddad Maia (22), Brazil, defeats Sara Sorribes Tormo, Spain, 6-2, 6-1.
- Iga Swiatek (1), Poland, defeats Ena Shibahara, Japan, 6-0, 6-1.
- Jessika Ponchet, France, defeats Elena Rybakina (4), Kazakhstan
- Anastasia Potapova, Russia, defeats Varvara Lepchenko, United States, 6-3, 6-4.
- Liudmila Samsonova (16), Russia, beats Marie Bouzkova, Czech Republic, 3-6, 7-6 (1), 6-3.
- Jessica Pegula (6), United States, def. Sofia Kenin, United States, 7-6 (4), 6-3.
- Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (25), Russia, defeats Elisabetta Cocciaretto, Italy, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2.
- Karolina Muchova, Czech Republic, defeats Naomi Osaka, Japan, 6-3, 7-6 (5).