NEW YORK (AFP) - World number one Iga Swiatek defeated Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur to win her second Grand Slam title of the year with a straight sets victory in the U.S. Open final on Saturday.
Polish star Swiatek overcame a spirited second set fightback from fifth seed Jabeur to win 6-2, 7-6 (7/5) in 1hr 52min at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The victory followed Swiatek’s win at the French Open in June, making the 21-year-old the first woman since 2016 to win two Grand Slams in a single season.
Swiatek’s 10th career title also extended her remarkable record in tournament finals.
She has now won her last 10 finals, without dropping a set.
Swiatek collapsed on court in relief after a win that saw her earn $2.6 million in prize money.
“I’m really glad it’s not in cash,” she quipped as she was presented with her winner’s cheque for a tournament she entered with low expectations.
“For sure this tournament was really challenging because it’s New York – it’s so loud, it’s so crazy,” said Swiatek who was also French Open champion in 2020.
“So many temptations in the city, so many people I’ve met who are so inspiring – it’s really mindblowing for me and I’m so proud I could handle it mentally.”
But the loss was another agonising near-miss for Jabeur, who had been bidding to become the first woman from Africa to win a Grand Slam.
The 28-year-old from Tunis had also been beaten in the final of Wimbledon in July.