Watch: Iga Swiatek leaves Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova helpless with her ‘special shot’ during third-round match at 2024 US Open

During the first set of the match, Swiatek sliced Pavlyuchenkova’s serve high into the air. The return was hit with so much spin that as the ball came down and bounced just over the net, it spun back into Swiatek’s side of the court rendering it impossible for Pavlyuchenkova to reach.

The Polish ace was equally stunned by her shot and apologized to her opponent but walked away with a crucial point. The chair umpire, meanwhile, attempted to remain professional but couldn’t stop smiling with the crowd cheering in the background.

Watch a video of the shot below:

Iga Switek into the fourth round of the 2024 US Open

Iga Swiatek rode on her excellence against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova to beat the Russian 6-4, 6-2, and reach the fourth round at the 2024 US Open. Coming into the match after an emphatic win over Japanese qualifier Ena Shibahara where she dropped only one game, Swiatek was as clinical as it gets against Pavlyuchenkova.

Having won her first two matches against a lucky loser and a qualifier and played a seeded player in the third round, Swiatek began the match in a calm and composed manner. The contest kicked off with a jittery-looking Pavlyuchenkova losing her first service game. Swiatek responded by consolidating the break to go up 2-0.

The Russian, however, challenged Swiatek with some of the fine form she showed in the first round when she toppled Aussie wild card Taylah Preston 6-2, 6-0. The veteran, who has an Olympic gold medal in mixed doubles, exhibited her prowess and won 75% of the points she played at the net in the first set. But Swiatek was well prepared and stayed with her throughout to take the first set 6-4.

The Pole then upped the ante in the second set after enduring some attacking gameplay from her opponent. She then powered through the remainder of the match to register her third straight-set win in New York this week. Swiatek will face No. 16 seed Liudmila Samsonova in the fourth round on Monday (September 2).