World No. 1 Iga Swiatek admitted it was a dream come true after delivering a very strong performance in her Arthur Ashe Stadium debut.
On Thursday, 21-year-old Swiatek played on the iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium for the first time in her career.
Swiatek, the top seeded player in the US Open main draw, defeated 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens 6-3 6-2 to progress into the third round.
Swiatek went from watching matches on Arthur Ashe to playing matches there.
“I just tried to have the same kind of motivation and attitude as on any other court as it’s the best way for me to perform well but for sure it’s a lot. It’s a dream come true,” Swiatek said, per Eurosport. “I remember when I was a junior and I came on the highest stand to watch Serena [Williams]. I remember these matches were great for me to watch. And just being in the stadium here, downstairs, not up there is awesome so yeah. I’m really happy with all the progress I have made.”
Swiatek routinely handle Stephens
Swiatek earned the first break of the match in the second game to open a 2-0 lead, but got broken back immediately in the following game.
However, blowing an early break didn’t impact Swiatek, who broke Stephens again in the fourth game to open a 3-1 lead.
In the sixth game, Swiatek missed out on two break points, which would have given her a double-break lead.
But one break of serve was enough for Swiatek, who served out for the first set in the ninth game.
After winning the first set, Swiatek started the second set with back-to-back breaks and a 4-0 lead.
Two breaks of serve were more than enough for Swiatek, who routinely held on to her serve the rest of the match to complete a two-set win.
Swiatek plays Lauren Davis in the third round at Flushing Meadows.