Iga Świątek Grinds Into US Open Fourth Round, Books Zheng

Iga Świątek is through to the US Open fourth round after a gritty 7-6(3), 7-6(3) victory over Marie Bouzkova on Saturday, September 5. The win sets up a compelling rematch with China's Zheng Qinwen, the player who ended Świątek's 25-match winning streak at the 2024 Olympics.

How Did Świątek Survive a Tough Third-Round Test?

It wasn't easy. Świątek had to dig deep against a determined Bouzkova in a match filled with long, physical rallies. The Czech player broke Świątek's serve in the 11th game of the first set, but the Pole broke right back to force a tiebreak, which she controlled. In the second set, Świątek clawed back from a 3-0 deficit and saved three set points in a marathon 12th game before dominating the second tiebreak. She sealed the match with a backhand winner, finishing with 18 forehand winners.

"It got pretty physical, many long rallies," Świątek said after the match. "It wasn't easy." The victory continues a critic-quietening run for the 25-year-old, who arrived in New York after the most difficult season of her career but has looked strong, having won in Toronto last month.

Why Was Świątek Playing on a Smaller Court?

While her match was a tense battle, it took place on the Grandstand court, the tournament's third-largest venue, not the main Arthur Ashe Stadium. Świątek said she was perfectly happy with the more intimate setting, which holds just over 8,000 fans compared to Ashe's nearly 24,000.

"Well, Ashe is really alive. Sometimes too much, I'd say," Świątek told reporters. "This court is nice... It's smaller in a way that's more normal." CNN analyst Candi Reid suggested the scheduling was driven by the exploding popularity of young star Alex Eala, who was given the prime-time Ashe slot. "They've got to give Eala and her fans room to grow on," Reid said, noting the "craziness" surrounding the 18th-ranked player.

What's Next in the Fourth Round?

Świątek's path gets much tougher now. She faces Zheng Qinwen, the reigning Olympic gold medalist, in a rematch of their dramatic semi-final from Paris 2024. Zheng, who came through qualifying here, is a powerful baseliner capable of matching Świątek's intensity. Their past encounter guarantees this will be one of the most watched matches of the tournament so far.

Did Świątek Celebrate a Personal Milestone Off the Court?

Away from the competitive pressure, Świątek joined the wider tennis community in celebrating a joyful personal moment. She was among the first to congratulate former French star Caroline Garcia on the birth of her baby boy, Pablo. Świątek left a simple "Congratulations 🥰" on Garcia's Instagram announcement last Thursday, a gesture that showed her support for a fellow tour competitor.

• Key Takeaways: Świątek advanced to the US Open fourth round with a 7-6(3), 7-6(3) win over Marie Bouzkova on September 5. She next faces Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen in a major fourth-round test. The Polish star expressed no issue with playing on the smaller Grandstand court instead of Arthur Ashe Stadium. Świątek also sent congratulations to Caroline Garcia on the birth of her son.