© Getty Images Sport – Matthew Stockman
Daria Saville jokingly said she is just hoping “not to get double-bageled” by world No 1 Iga Swiatek in their US Open match. Saville, a former world No 20, defeated Clervia Ngounoue 6-0 6-2 to set up a second-round meeting against Swiatek.
When Saville and Swiatek meet at the US Open, it will be their second meeting. Last year, Swiatek defeated Saville 6-3 6-3 in Adelaide. “The biggest goal is not to get double-bageled! When I was coming back from injuries, the goal was to get to play on all the bigger courts at every Slam.
Hopefully that will be ticked off and I can still make her life very uncomfortable. I will play free and see what happens. I think we can definitely get in her head. She’s still a human. I need to play with myself. Playing against anyone ranked that high, the tendency for most players is to try and play their best tennis.
Sometimes that creates extra pressure and you miss more. I’ll try to enjoy the atmosphere, but I might not enjoy if I’m losing!” Saville said.
Swiatek on playing Saville
Swiatek made a very strong start to her US Open campaign, beating Rebecca Peterson 6-0 6-1.
Against Saville, there is no doubt that Swiatek will try to deliver another big performance. Ahead of the match, Swiatek spoke positively of who Saville is as a person but admitted she doesn’t know much about the Australian’s game. “Well, honestly, I have to analyze her game, because I think we may have played once before her injuries or surgery that she has.
I’m not sure what’s her story, you know. But she’s a great person. We always, when we pass each other, we say hi and she’s really positive. So about the game, I can’t really say a lot. I will for sure get prepared, but, you know, it really doesn’t matter for me.
I have my kind of image of tennis that I want to play and show, and I’m just going to try and focus on myself, you know,” Swiatek said of facing Saville.
