Iga Swiatek reaches first US Open final, will face fifth seed Ons Jabeur in mixed doubles final
In a career that has taken him to one of the best tennis programs in the U.S., Iga Swiatek has made a triumphant return to the US Open.
Swiatek reached his first Grand Slam final since he beat No. 10 seed Marin Cilic in the quarterfinals of the 2015 US Open before falling to No. 6 seed Viktor Troicki last year.
Swiatek will find himself a heavy favorite this year to defend his 2018 US Open title, which he has won five times.
Ons Jabeur, the unseeded Spaniard, has been an integral part of the upset of the year, too, with a six-set win over No. 12 seed Kyle Edmund in the mixed doubles final.
“I think we’re going to have a great tournament and it’s not important to say anything now,” Swiatek said. “I just have to control my emotions and we’re going to be fine. It’s going to be a great match. I think we’re going to be fine. The US will be fine. For me, I’m just going to enjoy it. You know, I won’t complain. I won’t complain. Just try to control my emotions a little bit.”
Swiatek is coming off an incredible year on the career level, with a singles win against No. 16 seed Feliciano Lopez at the Australian Open (Nov. 25) in Melbourne.
He has won 19 matches, with his only losses coming in the quarterfinals and semifinals at the Australian Open and the US Open in New York.
“I think I am the most consistent player on the tour,” he said. “The way he fought for every single point and just had to push all the way in, I think it’s really good. He is a great player. He’s a great champion. He’s a great person. I respect him a lot.�
