US Open star shows no mercy with ruthless display against "best friend"

01 September 2023 , 21:35

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Iga Swiatek put in a ruthless performance against her "best friend" Kaja Juvan at the US Open

World No.1 Iga Swiatek arguably had one of the toughest matches of her career at the US Open, despite sweeping away her opponent in straight sets.

The Polish tennis star was drawn against her "best friend" Kaja Juvan and managed to put in one of her most ruthless and dominating displays to date. Swiatek and Juvan's clash came in the third round of the US Open at the historic Louis Armstrong Stadium in the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City.

With a place in the round of 16 at stake, the 22-year-old pulled no punches and won the match within just 49 minutes. She later admitted to having mixed feelings, however, as it ended the dreams of her "best friend" by eliminating her from the tournament.

After recording a 6-0, 6-1 win, Swiatek said: "It is literally like playing against your sister because we've known each other for so long," she admitted. "I didn't like the fact that I was winning against my best friend, but I knew that I have to be really focused and not let myself think about that.

"I don't have many friends but she's my best friend so that was the toughest part for sure."

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Following the win, the pair embraced at the net with no hard feelings shown. The match was the third time both tennis stars had faced each other with Swiatek winning on each occasion.

Kaja Juvan and Iga Swiatek embraced after their third round tie at the US Open (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)

Both players have also featured on the same team in recent years having played together at the Youth Olympics in 2018 and in Tennis Europe's Summer Cups competition in 2014.

Speaking to the WTA back in 2019 Juvan reflected on her journey with Swiatek and the pair's experience at the Olympics. "In the doubles final, honestly, I was so tired, Iga carried me through," she said.

"I just started pushing the ball in and she did everything else and then I collapsed in her arms at the end. And then I had also singles and both of my legs were falling off. It was really, really special"

Swiatek is next in action on Sunday when she faces Latvian, and world no.20, Jeļena Ostapenko in the round of 16.

Joseph Dexter