Swiatek aces Kenin test
MELBOURNE, (Reuters) - Iga Swiatek came through an opening test of fire in her hunt for a first Australian Open title yesterday as the world number one battled past 2020 champion Sofia Kenin 7-6(2) 6-2 while blazing heat and blustery conditions made things difficult for players.
Four years after Swiatek won the pair's only previous meeting in the French Open final, the 22-year-old twice fought back from a break down to claim the opening set in a tie-break on a sweltering Rod Laver Arena.
The four-times major champion had enjoyed a strong build-up to the year's opening Grand Slam, with five successive singles wins in Poland's run to the United Cup mixed team event final, and she broke American Kenin for a 3-2 lead in the next set.
Kenin, who has battled injuries, illness as well as off-court issues in recent years, fought on bravely and had the opportunity to hit back but top seed Swiatek stretched her advantage and pulled away for victory.
"It wasn't the easiest first round," said Swiatek, who is now on a 17-match winning run after triumphs in Beijing and the WTA Finals last year as well as her United Cup heroics.
"I tried to find my rhythm, play the important points well in the opening set. I felt off in terms of the timing. For sure the temperature was higher than any match I've played here and I needed to adjust as the balls were flying in these conditions."
Up next for Swiatek is 2022 finalist Danielle Collins, who beat former champion Angelique Kerber 6-2 3-6 6-1.
Russian 14th seed Daria Kasatkina overcame American Peyton Stearns 6-2 36 6-2 but she too struggled with the weather.