World number one Iga Swiatek had to work hard to beat plucky Kamila Rakhimova in the first round of the US Open.
Poland’s Swiatek did not look at her best in the 6-4, 7-6 (8-6) win in less than two hours at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Swiatek, the champion in New York in 2022, made her typical fast start, racing into a 4-0 lead in the first set but Rakhimova saved a break before Swiatek could serve.
The top seed grabbed an early break in the second set but his frustration was evident when he angrily smashed the ball after winning the break back with a long forehand.
Rahkimova, who lost in the final round of qualifying, kept touch with Swiatek and saved three set points in the tie-break to force a decider.
However, Swiatek upped her aggression to ensure victory and set up a clash with Japan’s Ena Shibahara in the second round.
Swiatek, a five-time Grand Slam champion, won her third consecutive French Open title in June and secured Olympic bronze last month.
However, in her six appearances in New York she has only advanced past the fourth round once – and that was when she won the title two years ago.
“It was good at the beginning, but then I got a bit tense and my opponent took advantage of that, so I was trying to get back to my game,” Swiatek said.
“I’m sure that day by day I’ll get more into rhythm.”