Iga Swiatek has been storming through the US Open competition with some ease thus far, but her upcoming opponent is set to pose a real threat to her.
After all, there are arguably few on the WTA who are as in-form as Jessica Pegula, having won the Canadian Open, the Cincinnati Open, and now with her sights set on triumph at her home Grand Slam.
It is this support from the home crowd that she is assured which could make all the difference against an opponent famed for her laser focus.
This, combined with the hustle and bustle initiated by a new rule, could cause Iga Swiatek some real problems in the next round.
Iga Swiatek reacts to US Open rule change
Speaking to the press after her fourth-round win over Liudmila Samsonova, attention turned to the new rule being used at the US Open for the first time.
However, whilst this technological one has still drawn scrutiny, the jury is still out on the other fresh statue that allows free fan movement on Arthur Ashe.
Having complained of distractions throughout her career, the world number one admitted: ‘I think it’s something we have to adjust to and something that I have to work on in terms of getting my focus in the right place.
‘I am going to wait when people behind my opponent are walking because I want to see clearly when she serves the ball and I don’t want to lose it.
‘I think this is the only part where I am going to wait and the chair umpires are allowing that for now. I hope it stays that way!
‘But I don’t mind them moving on the sides, especially on a big stadium like here. You can keep your focus here. For sure it is going to be more difficult on smaller stadiums where the people are going to be closer to you.
‘But I don’t know – we will see. For now it’s been fine. I have played two tournaments with this rule and I feel like I could focus.’
Iga Swiatek on track for a second US Open title
Despite this rule and the new distractions it provokes, it is doing little to thwart Swiatek, who is playing some inspired tennis after a shaky few months following her Roland Garros title.
Having never really agreed with the grass, her disappointment at Wimbledon was almost predicted, but upon returning to Paris for the Olympics, she was expected to dominate on the clay.
Only walking away with a bronze medal shocked many, and led to a brief inquest ahead of the US Open.
Well, she has dispelled any fears fans had with a blistering under-the-radar run to the quarter-finals, where she will now face Pegula.
The Polish powerhouse is yet to drop a set in New York, brushing aside her first four opponents with remarkable ease.
In fact, she has faced just four break points all tournament, all of which came in her opening-round match.
Should she maintain this form, there’s no reason why she cannot claim her second US Open title.
However, Pegula will be no pushover, and the menacing Aryna Sabalenka will likely be patiently awaiting her in the final.
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