The US Open 2024 has already become memorable for Iga Swiatek.

The World No.1 won her 100th Grand Slam match during R4, in the presence of Ted Lasso star Jason Sudeikis. The Pole is riding high on success and positivity this season, as she marches into the quarterfinal clash against the home favorite, Jessica Pegula, with relative ease. Former Polish tennis pro, Wojciech Fibak, considers Swiatek the favorite to win the title to add to her wins at Roland Garros and the Olympics bronze medal.

Iga Swiatek has been one of the most consistent players in recent times. The World No. 1 has already claimed 5 Grand Slam titles, including the US Open 2022. And, after successfully getting past the initial challenges, she is anticipated to claim another title in New York. According to Fibak’s words in Onet on September 3rd, Swiatek exudes the spirit of a “lioness,” ready to claim the prey, despite challenges.

READ: US Open: Iga Swiatek may be destined to face the same fate as Novak Djokovic

Praising Swiatek’s game, Fibak said, “Our Iga fights for every point like a lioness, even if something doesn’t go her way, even if she hits the ball with her frame.” Moreover, the former World No.10 thinks that Swiatek’s strong will to win makes her a role model for other tennis players in the circuit. He further remarked, “She gives everything to win. In this respect, her psyche is iron. She is a role model for all other tennis players.”

Moreover, Fibak feels that the US Open is Swiatek’s home, and in New York, the World No.1 would claim her 2nd US Open. “She won the US Open 2 years ago and I believe she will win this year. She will be the clear favorite,” the former pro added. In Swiatek’s road to the final though, stands Jessica Pegula whom the Pole will lock horns with in the QF.

It has been a long season for Iga Swiatek and the sports psychologist, Dariusz Nowicki, even gave the ‘iron psyche’ a burn-out warning after her Olympics win. He said, “Iga is very overloaded, and sooner or later, hopefully as late as possible, she will experience burnout syndrome.” However, the Pole has continued her tremendous run on the court, with the support of her fans and family. Now, she focuses on answering Pegula’s challenge in the quarters!

Back in 2022, Pegula lost the US Open quarterfinals against Swiatek. Fast forward to 2024, and they meet again. However, things might be a bit different this time. Talking about the overall results, Swiatek leads Pegula in H2H count with 6-3. However, when the 2023 results are taken into account, the score has been even. Both the players claimed two matches each, in an alternative order. Pegula might have found a way to restrain Swiatek!

According to Tennis Channel Live previews, Pegula needs to focus on her serve to reign in the World No.1. Pegula’s aggressive play would come in handy against Swiatek’s strong forehand grip. The opponents find it tricky to deal with the American tennis star because of her compact strokes, which stay low. But Pegula needs to get her first serve in, as Swiatek is lethal on second serves.

Though Iga Swiatek might be the favorite for some, Jessica Pegula can’t be written off. The Canadian Open champion is all set to tackle the challenges and claim her first Grand Slam title at home! This clash of the Titans should be a cracking watch.

Iga Swiatek has admitted she feels threatened by the abuse flowing her way online, as she opened up in his latest US Open press conference.

The Pole, gunning for a second title at Flushing Meadows, dropped just one game as she dispatched Ena Shibahara 6-0 6-1 in 65 minutes.

Only three players (Margaret Court – 11, Maria Sharapova – 8, Evonne Goolagong – 8) have registered more sets of 6-0 score line from their first 22 matches in women’s singles at US Open than Swiatek (7) during the Open Era, with her status a favourite to win a second title in New York strengthened by her dominant win against Shibahara.

READ: Carlos Alcaraz is one of 4 men to hold record that eluded Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer

Yet it was her comments in her post-match press conference that may have been her most significant contribution to the game, as she spoke about the impact online abuse can have on her.

Swiatek insisted she doesn’t follow all the abusive messages flowing her way on social media, but the level of venom coming her way does occasionally get through.

“I’m only kind of seeing the messages from my close ones, the ones that I already accepted, but for sure there is a lot of hate,” she said, suggesting her social media feeds are restricted to messages from approved followers.

“It would be nice if we can try to educate people and also maybe in the future have some solutions as, you know, using Al to make it safer for us.

“Because I feel like we can’t be on the internet and feel like kind of safe anymore. You have to really be careful about what you’re reading and who you’re following.

“I know that there are some tools that, for example, Roland Garros offered for us, like this app that we can have on the phone, and it’s going to block the hateful messages.

“My team also has been kind of looking in my case what kind of messages have been blocked or not when we’re using this app. It would be nice if we had more opportunities to use these kind of tools because it’s always some kind of help.”

Swiatek will doubtless avoid the social media barbs as she looks towards the second week of the US Open and she is excited by her form heading into the business end of the tournament.

“I was just happy with the way I played, not overpowering and being really solid and picking the right shots to be reactive, I am happy with everything,” said Swiatek.

“I felt in much better rhythm. I was a bit tense in my last match. I just wanted to focus on myself and that’s what I did.”

The withdrawal of No 4 seed Elena Rybakina from the US Open due to illness could have an impact on Swiatek as she was due to meet her old rival in the semi-finals in New York.

Swiatek will now play Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the third round, with American Jessica Pegula the most threatening player in her section of the draw.