Wednesday, August 14, 2024

Swiatek takes the scenic route into the round of 16 in Cincinnati

This evening, I saw world number 1 and top Cincinnati seed Iga Swiatek quickly win her first round against Varvara Gracheva 6-0. The next thing I knew, Swiatek was up 5-2. I had to leave, and when I returned to my hotel and looked at the scoreboard, a third set was about to begin. Gracheva had saved five match points and won a second set tiebreak 10-8. 

Swiatek didn't exactly look steady at the beginning of that third set, but then she was finally able to take control of the match, winning it 6-0, 6-7, 6-2. Her next opponent will be Marta Kostyuk, who loves a good fight--and who is a good fighter--so the world number 1 will have something to think about in that match, too. Kostyuk defeated qualifier Lulu Sun in the second round.

Mirra Andreeva, the young Russian star, upset 11th seed Emma Navarro in straight sets today. Taylor Townsend defeated Caroline Dolehide in a close three-set match, Paula Badosa defeated Peyton Stearns, and Karolina Muchova defeated Dayana Yastremska 7-6, 6-2. 17th seed Beatriz Haddad Maia lost (in three sets, of course) to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, and Elina Avanesyan defeated Bianca Andreescu.

Tomorrow, there are a few matches that especially interest me: Leylah Fenandez will play 4th seed Elena Rybakina on the Grandstand court, 6th seed Jessica Pegula will play Karolina Muchova, and wild card Taylor Townsend will compete against 9th seed Daria Kasatkina. Also in action tomorrow are 2nd seed Coco Gauff, 3rd seed Aryna Sabalenka, and 7th seed (and Olympic gold medal winner) Zheng Qinwen.

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