After an immaculate start to the 2024 campaign, Iga Swiatek has touched down in Cincinnati with the aim of bettering her semi-final run from 12 months ago.
The 23-year-old put on a stunning display on the European clay as she stormed to a 19-match win streak, including runs to WTA 1000 titles in Madrid and Rome, before clinching her fourth French Open crown in the last five years.
But, after an early exit at Wimbledon and a bronze medal finish at the Olympics, concerns have been voiced over Swiatek’s form heading into the US hard-court swing.
These doubts have been pushed further under the microscope after Swiatek was taken to three sets in her Cincinnati opener against Varvara Gracheva.
Iga Swiatek compares herself to Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf
Despite coming under fire for her performances on the court, Iga Swiatek appears to be having a good time outside of it.
The world number one eventually got over the line 6-0, 6-7(8), 6-2 in her Cincinnati Open round-of-32 clash.
Swiatek then had the pleasure of meeting Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf, posting a photo of the three to X and writing: “Look at this. Just two legends and a random girl in the middle. Kinda amazing.”
In her illustrious career, Graf amassed a remarkable 22 grand slams while her husband, Agassi, clinched eight.
Doubts loom over Swiatek’s US Open campaign
Swiatek reigned supreme in 2022 to clinch her first US Open title, defeating Ons Jabeur in a straightforward final.
However, her recent string of results seems to have not filled tennis fans with confidence that she can repeat her success at Flushing Meadows this time around.
Although Swiatek will not fear too much as she appreciates that the transition from clay to hard court is not the easiest, especially considering the lengthy hiatus she has taken from the surface.
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