Swiatek Cruises into US Open Fourth Round, Faces Samsonova Next

Swiatek Cruises into US Open Fourth Round, Faces Samsonova Next

World number one Iga Swiatek continued her dominant run at the US Open, cruising into the fourth round with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova on Saturday. The Polish star, who has won five titles this year including the French Open, faced a stern test against the experienced Russian, but ultimately proved too strong.

Swiatek, who won the US Open title in 2022, broke Pavlyuchenkova in the opening game and raced to a 3-1 lead. However, the former French Open runner-up fought back to stay in contention, holding serve in a tense four-deuce game to pull within 4-3.

Undeterred, Swiatek regained control of the set, serving out the first set with a love game without facing a break point. The second set was even more one-sided, as Swiatek broke Pavlyuchenkova at love for a 2-1 lead and never looked back.

Pavlyuchenkova, who had lost 6-0, 6-0 to Swiatek in their only prior meeting on the Rome clay last year, showed flashes of her best tennis but was unable to sustain her challenge. Swiatek’s superior power and consistency proved too much for the Russian, who was forced to bow out in the third round.

Swiatek will now face 16th-seeded Liudmila Samsonova of Russia for a place in the quarter-finals. Samsonova, who reached the fourth round of the US Open last year, has been in impressive form this season, winning the Washington Open title and reaching the semi-finals of the Canadian Open.

The match between Swiatek and Samsonova promises to be a fascinating clash of styles. Swiatek is known for her aggressive baseline play and powerful forehand, while Samsonova is a more versatile player who can mix up her game with slices, drop shots, and angles.

Pavlyuchenkova Reflects on US Open Journey, Embraces New Approach

Pavlyuchenkova Reflects on US Open Journey, Embraces New Approach

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, a veteran of the US Open, has been reflecting on her journey at the tournament over the past decade. Despite reaching the quarterfinals in 2011, she has struggled to replicate that success in recent years. However, she believes she is now on the right track to rediscover her form.

Pavlyuchenkova admits that she put too much pressure on herself in her younger years, but she has since adopted a more relaxed approach. She is now focused on enjoying the process and fighting for every point. This shift in mindset has helped her achieve more consistent results, particularly at the Australian Open.

Despite her success on hard courts, Pavlyuchenkova acknowledges that she has not always been as consistent as she would like. She has recently made significant changes to her team, including hiring a biomechanical coach to optimize her serve and groundstrokes. This decision has paid off, as she reached the quarterfinals at the WTA 1000 in Cincinnati and is now enjoying her best Grand Slam result of 2024 at the US Open.

Pavlyuchenkova’s team has expanded since the clay-court swing, but she remains grateful for the support of her partner, Mathias, who has been a constant source of encouragement. She also values the perspective of her hitting partner, Yannick Mertens, who is not from a tennis background.

Ahead of her night-session clash with world No. 1 Iga Swiatek, Pavlyuchenkova is determined to improve on her previous performance against the Polish star. She is aware of the challenge she faces, but she is confident that she can put up a better fight.

Pavlyuchenkova embraces the hectic atmosphere of New York City, which she believes adds to the excitement of the tournament. She is determined to channel the energy of the crowd and put on a performance that will remind fans of her potential.

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova Reveals the Stories Behind Her Tattoo Collection

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova Reveals the Stories Behind Her Tattoo Collection

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, the 2021 Roland Garros finalist, has unveiled the stories behind her extensive collection of tattoos in a candid social media video. While not as renowned for her body art as some of her peers, Pavlyuchenkova’s tattoos hold deep personal significance and reflect her whimsical personality.

Some of her tattoos commemorate significant moments in her career. On her right index finger, she has inked the “first thing she saw” upon arriving in Tokyo for the 2021 Olympics, where she won a gold medal in mixed doubles with Andrey Rublev. A cherry blossom branch, known as “sakura” in Japan, adorns her other thumb, symbolizing her triumph.

Other tattoos reflect her personal interests and quirks. The word “voilà!” on her arm pays homage to her former residence in France and her fluency in the language. Pinched fingers, the famous “Italian” hand gesture, are inked near her elbow.

Pavlyuchenkova’s favorite tattoo is a smiley face on the inside of her right wrist, which serves as a constant reminder to smile. Her feet feature some of the most humorous imagery, including a dancing skeleton near her Achilles and a cartoonish avocado holding a wine glass on the top of her right foot, reflecting her love for both avocados and wine.

Pavlyuchenkova’s tattoos are a testament to her diverse interests, accomplishments, and whimsical nature. They serve as a visual representation of her journey as a tennis player and as a person.

Home
Shop
Wishlist0
Back to Top

Search For Products

Product has been added to your cart