Iga Swiatek credits ‘star-striking’ Serena Williams for third-round US Open win - ‘It gave me a positive kick’

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It was all too easy for Iga Swiatek in her third-round US Open match against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, who she moved past with minimal fuss to reach the fourth round in New York. Afterwards, the world No. 1 said she had been "inspired" by the "star-striking" Serena Williams who she spoke with ahead of the match. "It was nice that she approached me, because I wouldn't, for sure, find courage."

Highlights: Swiatek cruises into fourth round, Evans downed by De Minaur

Video credit: SNTV

Iga Swiatek has given credit to legendary tennis player Serena Williams for helping her overcome Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the third round of the US Open.

The 2022 champion continued her bid to regain the Flushing Meadows crown with a smooth 6-4 6-2 victory over the Russian to move into the fourth round.

The world No. 1 did not face a single break point and afterwards revealed that she had been given a “positive kick” by 23-time Grand Slam winner Williams ahead of the match.

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"It was really nice to see her," Swiatek revealed after her match. "She has a lot of positive energy. It's nice that she came on-site and she was chatting with the players.

"It was nice that she approached me, because I wouldn't, for sure, find courage to do that.

"Even though we met before and for like a couple of years we have been on the same sides and on tour together, she's still like star-striking for me."

Swiatek eyeing improvement

Despite victory, the former US Open champion feels there is still work to be done on the court.

"It's not like my tennis is perfect," Swiatek admitted. "It is weird because I have been number one and winning tournaments, I feel I need to work on some stuff."

Pavlyuchenkova, who did not win a game in the pairs meeting in Rome last year, dropped serve in the opening game and despite a spirited effort, could not claw her way back into the match from there.

At 3-1, Swiatek hit an outrageous backspinning return from the baseline which dropped just in front of the net, until the wicked spin took the ball away from Pavlyuchenkova and back into Swiatek's half of the court.

"I would be giving too much credit to myself if I said I had control over it," she admitted after the match.

"But I guess in situations like that, you remember it's worth it to kind of reach for every ball even though you think you might not get it.

"It was mostly luck."

Swiatek moved up the gears in the second set, making just one unforced error as she closed out the match with minimal fuss.

The five-time Grand Slam winner will face Liudmila Samsonova in the fourth round, the same stage she conceded her title defence last year in a shock defeat to Jelena Ostapenko.

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