Swiatek survives scare, Sinner dominates, Osaka advances as Gauff battles tears at US Open

It was a dramatic day at the US Open on Thursday as Iga Swiatek overcame a mid-match wobble, Jannik Sinner cruised into the third round, Naomi Osaka rediscovered her rhythm, and Coco Gauff fought back through tears to keep her title defense alive.

Second seed Swiatek, fresh off her Wimbledon and Cincinnati triumphs, battled past unseeded Dutchwoman Suzan Lamens 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 in a tense clash on Arthur Ashe Stadium. “It got a bit complicated in the second set, but I’m happy that I could reset and start playing better in the third,” said the 2022 champion, who now faces 29th seed Anna Kalinskaya.

World No. 1 and defending men’s champion Sinner delivered a clinical performance, dismantling Alexei Popyrin 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 to set up a third-round showdown with Canada’s Denis Shapovalov.

Osaka, seeded 23rd, breezed past Hailey Baptiste 6-3, 6-1 to reach the US Open third round for the first time since 2021. “I was just really trying to focus and not give her any free points and just be positive,” said the two-time champion. She also condemned Jelena Ostapenko’s controversial remarks toward Taylor Townsend after their fiery second-round encounter.

The night session belonged to Gauff, who battled service struggles and raw emotions against Croatia’s Donna Vekic, the same opponent who eliminated her at the Paris Olympics. After breaking down in tears following a first-set service loss, Gauff rallied for a 7-6(5), 6-2 win, inspired by gymnastics legend Simone Biles watching courtside. “If she can go on a six-inch beam and do that with all the pressures of the world, then I can hit the ball in the court,” Gauff said.

Elsewhere, Stefanos Tsitsipas fell to Germany’s Daniel Altmaier in a grueling five-setter lasting over four hours, while Alexander Zverev overcame British qualifier Jacob Fearnley in straight sets.

There was also a vintage moment for Venus Williams, who teamed with Leylah Fernandez to upset sixth seeds Lyudmyla Kichenok and Ellen Perez 7-6(4), 6-3 in doubles. “This is the best partner I’ve ever played with outside Serena,” said Williams.

Australia’s Alex de Minaur advanced comfortably past Shintaro Mochizuki, while compatriot Maya Joint exited against eighth seed Amanda Anisimova.

SportsLigue