Swiatek credits Williams for third-round US Open win

Iga Swiatek said a chat with tennis great Serena Williams gave her a “positive kick” for her dominant third-round victory over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.

Poland’s Swiatek, who triumphed in New York in 2022, did not face a single break point as she defeated the Russian 6-4 6-2 in the night session on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

• Diaspora Ijaws hail Tompolo’s contributions to nation building
• ‘Politicians used IRT’s tracker to monitor enemies, mistresses instead of kidnappers’

The top seed was seen talking with 23-time Grand Slam champion Williams in the players’ gym before the match.

She added that the encounter with Williams, a six-time winner at Flushing Meadows, “inspired me and it gave me, like, a positive kick.”