Iga Swiatek Shows Incredible Dedication Level With a Cryptic Text to her Coach To Book Practice Court After Reaching the US Open Quarterfinals

On the court, Swiatek’s performance was commanding. She struck 21 winners against just 13 unforced errors. Each time she moved forward to the net, she converted the point without fail. Her aggressive style kept Alexandrova under constant pressure.

Despite the comfortable win, Swiatek’s mind was already turning to what comes next. She spoke about wanting to return to practice as soon as possible. That drive and discipline have defined her rise to the top of the sport.

Iga Swiatek reaches the US Open quarterfinals

World No.2 Iga Swiatek’s backhand down the line was sharp and decisive, creating several highlights throughout the match. She surrendered her serve only once, early in the second game, after a couple of double faults. From that point on, she maintained full control.

Ekaterina Alexandrova struggled to bring her usual aggressive game that has earned her many wins this season. She stayed competitive through the opening six games. But at 3-3, she missed a routine forehand into the net with the court wide open, a turning point in the set.

Her problems mounted quickly. At 5-3 down, Alexandrova closed the set with two double faults and a failed drop shot. In the second set, she managed to win just one game. Another double fault left her trailing 5-1, and the match slipped further out of reach.

Swiatek finished with composure. In the last game, she faced heavy returns and saved three break points. On her first chance to seal victory, she struck one more crisp backhand winner down the line to close the contest.

Iga Swiatek adds history at the US Open

The matchup looked tricky on paper. Iga Swiatek led the head-to-head 4–2, but Ekaterina Alexandrova held a 2–1 edge on outdoor hard courts. She had beaten Swiatek at the Gippsland Trophy in 2021 and in Miami earlier this year. Alexandrova, now ranked a career-high No. 12, had just made the Monterrey final and dropped only 10 games across her first three matches in New York.

Swiatek has been on a strong run this summer. She lifted the Wimbledon and Cincinnati titles and has now won 18 of her last 19 matches. Still, her U.S. Open campaign had shaky moments early. She was pushed to three sets by Suzan Lamens in round two. Then in round three, she had to rally from 5–1 down in the opening set to beat Anna Kalinskaya.

Alexandrova, at 30, is putting together her best Grand Slam season. She has reached the last 16 at each of the past three majors. However, she has never gone beyond that stage at a Slam. Swiatek, by contrast, is building consistency at this level. She has now made at least the quarterfinals at all four majors in 2024.

At 24, Swiatek is the youngest player since Maria Sharapova in 2005 to reach the quarterfinals at every Slam in a season. This run marks her 13th Grand Slam quarterfinal overall. Among active players, only Venus Williams, Victoria Azarenka, and Aryna Sabalenka have more. Swiatek now matches the tally of Elina Svitolina and the recently retired Petra Kvitova. Next, she will face either Amanda Anisimova in a Wimbledon final rematch or Beatriz Haddad Maia, the No. 18 seed.