Advertisement

Iga Swiatek storms to 'remarkable' nine-year first in US Open final

Iga Swiatek celebrates her victory in the US Open final.
Iga Swiatek stormed to victory in the US Open final, cementing her stop as World No.1. Pictures: Getty Images

Iga Swiatek has stormed to a straight-sets victory in the final of the US Open, overcoming World No.6 Ons Jabeur in straight sets to tighten her stranglehold on the women's game.

The Polish top seed, who boasted few blemishes for the tournament save for letting a bit too much detail slip after her semi-final victory, breezed through the first set before needing a tiebreak in the second to secure her second grand slam victory over the year.

BIGTIME: Carlos Alcaraz feat stuns tennis world in semi-final epic at US Open

BRUTAL: Aryna Sabalenka's gutting response to US Open heartbreak

The 6-2 7-6 (7-5) victory marked the first time since Serena Williams in 2013 that a player has won both the French and US Opens in the same year.

Swiatek's grasp on the women's top rank will only grow firmer thanks to the triumph, which improved her record in tour-level matches to 55-7 with seven trophies in 2022, both best in the WTA.

She is also the first player since Angelique Kerber in 2016 to win two majors in one season.

Jabeur, a 28-year-old from Tunisia, is the first African woman and first Arab woman to reach a grand slam final and was participating in her second in a row. But she is 0-2 at that stage, being the runner-up at Wimbledon in July.

Swiatek paid tribute to Jabeur, who has broken out on 2022 as one of the top players in the WTA.

"For sure, this tournament was really challenging, also, because it's New York. It's so loud. It's so crazy," she said.

"I'm really proud that I could handle it mentally.

"Ons, such an amazing tournament, such an amazing season ... I know we're going to have many more, and I'm pretty sure you're going to win some of them, so don't worry."

On social media, fans were seriously impressed with Swiatek's performance, after the imperious form she showed earlier in the year waned somewhat after he early exit from Wimbledon.

Swiatek proved that was a minor blip with her dominance at Arthur Ashe stadium, with many fans believing she had what it takes to establish a serious legacy in women's tennis.

Iga Swiatek dominates US Open final against ONS Jabeur

Swiatek has won her past 10 finals β€” all in straight sets β€” and was great from the get-go.

Jabeur did not face a single break point in her semi-final victory against Caroline Garcia, but she got broken right away.

Eight minutes in, Swiatek had grabbed 12 of the first 14 points for a 3-0 edge.

When Jabeur, who will rise to No.2 in the rankings on Monday, did show off some of what she can do, she made things interesting, briefly. But only briefly.

"I don't like her very much right now, but it's OK," Jabeur told a crowd that offered her plenty of support while smiling and looking at Swiatek.

"I really tried, but Iga didn't make it easy for me. She deserved to win today."

Iga Swiatek and Ons Jabeur embrace after the US Open final.
Iga Swiatek and Ons Jabeur will hold the women's No.1 and No.2 rank respectively after the US Open. (Photo by Frey/TPN/Getty Images) (Getty Images)

After losing the first set 6-2, she got to 4-all in the second and, after ending up on her back after an off-balance backhand won a point in the next game, she stayed there, enjoying the moment, pumping her fists while laying on the ground.

Jabeur earned three break chances in that game, any one of which would have allowed her to serve for the set. She could not cash in there, though.

Then, at 6-5, Swiatek held her first championship point as Jabeur served. Right before the point began, Swiatek jogged over to the sideline to change rackets β€” an unusual choice at that moment.

Swiatek then missed a backhand, and Jabeur pushed things to the tiebreaker and led it 5-4. But Swiatek took the last three points and soon was down on her back, a major champ again.

With AAP

Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.