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Iga Swiatek revealed that she may have gotten a request from Frances Tiafoe before her first match at the 2023 US Open. The 22-year-old began her title defense against Sweden\u2019s Rebecca Peterson inside Arthur Ashe Stadium on Monday.<\/p>\n
After emerging victorious, she jokingly said the 10th seed, who was due to play afterward, asked her to take her time. “Frances told me yesterday to not make it too quick because he wouldn’t have enough time to warm up,\u201d the Polish star said, before adding: \u201cI\u2019m just kidding.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tiafoe\u2019s wishes were in vain as the Swiatek took just 58 minutes to dispatch Peterson 6-0, 6-1. The top seed hit 20 winners to just two from her opponent and recorded her 18th bagel of the year in the process.<\/p>\n
The victory marked Swiatek’s 16th consecutive straight-sets first-round win at a Grand Slam dating back to Wimbledon 2019. “I wanted to play solid and start the tournament with everything that I kinda focused on when I was practicing here for the whole week,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
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\u201cSo I\u2019m happy that I could play such a great game and I just feel happy that I, with all the pressure and expectations, I can just have fun on court.\u201d The 2023 edition of the U.S. Grand Slam marks Swiatek’s first time at Flushing Meadows as the defending champion and she’s fully aware it brings new pressures that she has not previously experienced in New York.<\/p>\n
“Usually, this is, yeah, the case, that you have to just get used to everything, you know,\u201d he said. \u201c\u200bSometimes you just feel a little bit more pressure because you’re, like, not into a rhythm yet and you just kind of have to, like you can get distracted more easily, I feel.<\/p>\n
\u201cI remember when I played my first matches in the US Open, I always felt like there is so much going on around, and it was a little bit tougher to focus. This year I didn’t feel it, because I practiced a couple of times on the center court. Even, you know, with all the kids around, because I think the entry was free and so many people came to watch our practices. It was amazing and I got used to the noise and everything.”<\/p>\n
Don’t miss… <\/strong> We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n Although Tiafoe may have entered Arthur Ashe Stadium earlier than he had hoped, he went on to record a 6-2, 7-5, 6-1 win over wildcard and US compatriot Learner Tien. The 25-year-old broke the lefty Tien\u2019s serve seven times, hit 37 winners, and showcased some impressive skills around the net to advance after two hours and nine minutes.<\/p>\n Tiafoe, who made the semifinals in New York last year, will face Sebastian Ofner in Round 2. \u201cI really love this court, I really enjoy playing here. It hasn\u2019t been the best summer for me, but I love playing on this court,” he said post-match.<\/p>\n “I just want to come and do really well. The last time I played here was one of the toughest losses of my life. To come back out here and play as well as I did and take care of business is nice. I am leaving everything I\u2019ve got. If I die out here, I die out here. I have to put it all on the line and hopefully, it is good enough.\u201d<\/p>\n
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