Top seed Swiatek survives scare to reach quarter-finals

Iga Swiatek managed a narrow escape to stay alive at the US Open on Monday as the top seed rallied to beat Jule Niemeier 2-6,6-4, 6-0 in the fourth round.

The Polish winner had to work after dropping the opening set as she lost serve in the first game.

The second set was riddled with seven service breaks, with the world No. 1 getting the last word to level at a set each.

Swiatek swept the deciding third set to love as she reached the quarter-finals after one and three-quarter hours..

“I;m just glad I didn’t lose hope,” the winner said. “I had a hard time pushing her back in the first set.

“In the second I focused on the small things, I’m happy that worked. I used my experience to keep my level throughout the entire match.”

Swiatek earned her 54th match win of the season as she reached a Grand Slam quarter-final for the third time this season.

“This is my best result here and I’m pretty proud of it,” she said.

Niemeier, ranked 108 and contesting only her third main draw at a major, had made a breakthrough at Wimbledon with a quarterfinal showing.

Swiatek kept her record against German opponents spotless at 10-0 and is the first Polish female quarter-finalist here; she has never lost to a player ranked outside the Top 100 at a Grand Slam.

The last German woman to reach the New York quarters was Angelique Kerber, champion here in 2016.

Main photo:- Iga Swiatek in action at Flushing Meadows by Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd