Iga Swiatek will face world No. 5 Ons Jabeur in the 2022 US Open women’s singles final.
To fuel her championship run, the top-ranked athlete in the world has embraced an underdog mentality.
After a difficult beginning to her hardcourt season, Swiatek doubts she would “play so well here.”
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NEW YORK — Iga Swiatek needs one more victory to claim her second Grand Slam title of the year.
However, the top-ranked tennis player in the world embraced an underdog mentality to propel her to this year’s US Open final.
The 21-year-old Polish superstar has been ranked No. 1 by the WTA for TK consecutive weeks, making her the clear favorite to win the Flushing Meadows tournament. Swiatek, who is known for her dexterity on clay and has won both of her previous Grand Slam titles at Roland Garros, fought hard in the weeks preceding the final Grand Slam of the year.
Swiatek.
Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports
A few weeks later, she lost in the Round of 16 on hardcourt to Beatriz Haddad Maia in Toronto and Madison Keys in Cincinnati, Ohio. Unsurprisingly, the greatest female tennis player lacked confidence before the US Open.
Swiatek stated at a press conference that, based on his performance in previous tournaments, he was uncertain about his ability to maintain consistency and win so many consecutive matches. After my losses in Toronto and Cincinnati, I did not anticipate doing so well here.
She continued, “It afforded me a great deal because I could be somewhat of an underdog again, not necessarily entirely, but simply not expect to win everything at the moment.”
Swiatek.
Swiatek was able to establish her footing on hardcourt at the optimal time by reducing the immense pressure that comes with her status as the top player. She won her first three US Open matches in straight sets, including her battle against former US Open champion Sloane Stephens in the second round.
Swiatek was able to sustain her pace as the race heated and the field shrank. After defeating Jule Niemeier of Germany in three sets, she defeated eighth-ranked Jessica Pegula of the United States in a second-set tiebreak to go to the semifinals.
Swiatek stated after her fourth-round match, “I’m building confidence with every match, but I’m trying not to get too excited because anything can happen.” “I do not intend to overthink, as you can see. Consequently, I am solely focused on the forthcoming encounter. During the match, though, I am just worried with the upcoming point.”
Swiatek.
Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports
Despite a poor first set against Aryna Sabalenka, who played arguably of her greatest tennis of the event early on, she won the quarterfinal in three sets. Since Serena Williams in 2014, Swiatek is the first woman with the No. 1 ranking to reach the US Open final.
Nevertheless, she continues to play the part of the underdog.
Swiatek commented after her semifinal victory, “certainly, the fact that I hadn’t performed well in earlier rounds alleviated some pressure.” “It’s not like I wanted to do that, but I’m rather pleased with how I turned it around.”
Swiatek celebrates her US Open semifinal triumph.
REUTERS/Mike Segar
She will fight against world No. 5 Ons Jabeur on Saturday afternoon at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York City for the 2022 US Open women’s singles tournament. Fans in the United States may watch all the action on ESPN at 4 p.m. ET.