Świątek and Gauff advance at US Open, Rybakina eyes world number one

Świątek and Gauff advance at US Open, Rybakina eyes world number one

Poland's Iga Świątek (world No. 8) defeated Czech player Marie Bouzková (No. 26), a former world No. 21, 7-6, 7-6 in the latest round of the US Open. The 25-year-old entered the match as a clear favourite, with bookmakers pricing her win at 1.15. The first-set tiebreak went Świątek's way after she raced to a 4-1 lead, closing it out 7-3. In the second set she recovered from trailing 0-3 to force another tiebreak, which she also won 7-3 after leading 6-1.

Statistics showed Świątek's edge, including a 56% success rate on second-serve points compared to Bouzková's 36%, and a narrow lead in total points won, 91-86. The Pole now leads their head-to-head series 4-0. This is her eighth consecutive US Open appearance, and she already holds the title from 2022.

American Coco Gauff (No. 4) also progressed, beating Spain's Cristina Bucșa (No. 40) 6-3, 6-4. The 22-year-old was an overwhelming favourite at odds of 1.04 and turned around a 1-3 deficit in the first set to win it 6-3. Gauff dominated most statistical categories, including first-serve points won (74% to 56%) and total points (72-54). She now leads the head-to-head 2-0 and is playing in her ninth consecutive US Open, having won the title in 2023.

Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina (No. 2) is set to face Ukraine's Yuliia Starodubtseva (No. 58) later tonight. Rybakina is favoured at odds of 1.09, though she may be hampered by a suspected heel/Achilles tendon injury that forced her to retire early from her Cincinnati quarterfinal on August 21. She currently tops the unofficial "live" world rankings, with Americans Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff also in contention to claim the top spot, provided they win the title.

Elsewhere, American Amanda Anisimova (No. 10) was eliminated in the third round, losing 2-6, 5-7 to Anastasia Potapova (No. 25), who had earlier knocked out Latvia's Darja Semeņistaja in the first round.