Former champ Swiatek eases into US Open third round

Former champion Iga Swiatek advanced to the third round of the US Open on Thursday, while men's top seed Alexander Zverev aimed for his first title at Flushing Meadows. Swiatek, who has won six Grand Slam titles including the 2022 US Open, defeated Nadia Podoroska 6-3, 6-2 in their first meeting since Swiatek's victory at Roland Garros in 2020.

Swiatek was mostly untroubled during the match, breaking twice to take a 5-1 lead in the second set. She closed out the match on her own serve, clinching it after an hour and 11 minutes with a stinging backhand.