World primary Iga Swiatek was made to work onerous to beat fortunate loser Kamilla Rakhimova within the US Open first spherical.
Poland’s Swiatek was not at her greatest in a 6-4 7-6 (8-6) victory that took slightly below two hours on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Swiatek, champion in New York in 2022, made her trademark fast begin, racing out to a 4-0 first-set lead, however Rakhimova rescued a break earlier than Swiatek served it out.
The highest seed went up an early break within the second set however her frustration was evident when she swiped angrily at a ball after an extended forehand gave the break again.
Rahkimova, who misplaced within the ultimate spherical of qualifying, saved in contact with Swiatek and had three set factors within the tie-break to pressure a decider.
Nonetheless, Swiatek upped her aggression when it mattered to safe victory and arrange a second-round assembly with both Daria Saville of Australia or Japan’s Ena Shibahara.
5-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek received her third successive French Open title in June and secured an emotional Olympic bronze medal final month.
Nonetheless, she has solely gone past the fourth spherical as soon as in six appearances in New York – and that was when she received the title two years in the past.