Defending champion Iga Świątek barely broke sweat as she produced another rock-solid performance to roll into the fourth round of the U.S. Open with a 6-0 6-1 win over Slovenian qualifier and best friend Kaja Juvan on Friday.
Świątek grew up with Juvan through the junior ranks and the two dined together earlier this week but for 49 minutes in Louis Armstrong Stadium their friendship was put on hold while the top-seeded Pole got down to business.
Świątek was in total control from the start, dominating all aspects of the match throughout a one-sided opening set during which she dropped just three points on serve and converted all three of her break points.
It was more one-way traffic in the second as Świątek won the first 11 points en route to a 3-0 lead before Juvan finally got on the board after 40 minutes with a hold following which the world number 145 smiled and playfully raised her arms in triumph.
But the moment was short-lived for Juvan as Świątek restored order with a hold to love and then another break before closing out the match with another routine service hold before the two players shared a warm embrace at the net.
The Pole, who has held the world number one ranking since April 2022, also won their two previous meetings, most recently in the first round of the 2021 French Open, while Juvan has matched her career best showing at a Grand Slam this week.
Źródło: TVN24 News in English, Reuters
Źródło zdjęcia głównego: Getty Images