(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
US Open 2025: Swiatek Survives Scare, Sinner Shines, Gauff Rallies With Inspiration from Simone Biles
It was a dramatic day at the US Open 2025 as big names advanced, emotions ran high, and surprise results unfolded in New York.
Swiatek Battles Through
World No. 2 and Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek had to fight hard to reach the third round, defeating unseeded Dutch player Suzan Lamens 6-1, 4-6, 6-4. Despite dropping the second set, the 2022 US Open winner regrouped in the decider to seal victory with an ace. She now faces 29th seed Anna Kalinskaya in the next round.
“I’m happy I could reset and play better in the third,” Swiatek said after the win.
Sinner in Command
Men’s defending champion and current World No. 1 Jannik Sinner was clinical, powering past Australia’s Alexei Popyrin 6-3, 6-2, 6-2. He will next face 27th seed Denis Shapovalov of Canada.
Osaka Back in Form
Four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka also impressed, defeating American Hailey Baptiste 6-3, 6-1. The 23rd seed, who has not gone this deep at Flushing Meadows since 2021, said she was focused on staying positive and cutting down errors.
Gauff’s Emotional Comeback
The biggest drama of the day came from defending champion Coco Gauff, who overcame Donna Vekic in a tense encounter. After struggling with her serve and breaking down in tears early in the match, Gauff found motivation from gymnastics legend Simone Biles, who was in the crowd.
“If she can perform on a balance beam under pressure, then I can hit the ball in the court,” Gauff said with a smile after her comeback win.
Other Highlights
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Stefanos Tsitsipas was knocked out in a five-set thriller by Germany’s Daniel Altmaier, who prevailed 7-6(5), 1-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5.
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German third seed Alexander Zverev defeated British qualifier Jacob Fearnley 6-4, 6-4, 6-4, setting up a clash with Felix Auger-Aliassime.
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Tennis icon Venus Williams, 45, enjoyed a memorable doubles win alongside Canadian Leylah Fernandez, beating sixth seeds Lyudmyla Kichenok and Ellen Perez 7-6(4), 6-3.
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Australia’s Alex de Minaur eased past Japan’s Shintaro Mochizuki 6-2, 6-4, 6-2, while fellow Aussie Maya Joint lost to eighth seed Amanda Anisimova 7-6(2), 6-2.
