Swiatek banks on renewed confidence as Medvedev battles to regain lost form

Iga Swiatek says her work with coach Francisco Roig has finally started to click as she seeks a second U.S. Open title. The eighth seed faces Nadia Podoroska in the second round after opening the tournament with a comfortable victory.

The result offered a lift after a difficult season. Swiatek reached the semifinals of the Australian Open and French Open before losing in the U.S. Open quarterfinals last year. She began working with Roig in April to improve her serve and forehand, but exited the French Open in the fourth round and Wimbledon in the third.

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I just feel like my work clicked. All these things that I needed to do with Francis ... it became more automatic. I’m happy that this work paid off and it’s getting the results now.

“I just feel like my work clicked. All these things that I needed to do with Francis ... it became more automatic,” Swiatek said. “I’m happy that this work paid off and it’s getting the results now.”

Former champion Daniil Medvedev will meet wildcard Sebastian Gorzny. Medvedev has not reached a Grand Slam quarterfinal since the 2024 U.S. Open and suffered a third-round loss at Wimbledon, followed by early exits from three tournaments last month. He looked composed in a straight-sets first-round win over Hugo Gaston.

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Last couple of weeks weren’t easy, but you know how it is, sometimes you lose matches, sometimes you win ... I’m really glad the way I played.

“Last couple of weeks weren’t easy, but you know how it is, sometimes you lose matches, sometimes you win ... I’m really glad the way I played,” Medvedev said. Gorzny reached the main draw with a first-round victory over world number 38 Raphael Collignon.

Jessica Pegula, the world number three, is also pursuing a major title and the top ranking. She lost to Aryna Sabalenka in the 2024 U.S. Open final and last year’s semifinals, but said becoming number one has long mattered to her. Pegula began the year ranked sixth, reached the Australian Open semifinals and made the Wimbledon quarterfinals as she narrowed the gap on Sabalenka.

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I’d like to win a major, and I think the number one spot will be more available if I’m able to do that.