Swiatek Aims to Kick Off 2025 US Open Campaign with Upbeat Test Against Emiliana Arango
World No. 2 Iga Swiatek will open her 2025 US Open campaign against Emiliana Arango of Colombia in the Round of 128 at Flushing Meadows. Swiatek, the former US Open champion, comes into the tournament in strong form after a successful Cincinnati campaign and a deep run in the Mixed Doubles event. Arango, ranked No. 81, is making her first main-draw appearance at the U.S. Open in 2025.
Swiatek’s year has been marked by consistency and big-match maturity. She has built a 49-12 record for the season with two titles, including a title at Cincinnati, and she’s looking to build momentum in the second half of the year after a solid run in the spring and summer. The Pole will be aiming to extend her strong performance on hard courts and capitalize on her learning from big-stage events to keep her momentum going in New York.
Arango has had a year of ups and downs, recording a 19-18 mark and reaching the Merida Open Akron final, where she was overwhelmed by Emma Navarro in a straight-set defeat. The 24-year-old Colombian will be eager to test her aggression against an elite opponent and attempt to disrupt Swiatek’s rhythm with aggressive serving and consistent ball striking. This will be their first meeting on tour, adding an extra layer of uncertainty to the match.
Swiatek enters as the favorite not only on paper but also in terms experience and big-match poise at the U.S. Open. The 2023 finalist will rely on her strong first serve, precise groundstrokes, and ability to mix pace and placement to keep Arango off balance. Arango, known for her South American grit and willingness to take the ball early, will need to attack Swiatek’s second serve and try to push the rally lengths to force errors from the World No. 2.
What to watch:
– Swiatek’s serve and return games set the tone. If she can take control early and move Arango around the court, she’ll press the Colombian into uncomfortable positions.
– Arango’s aggression and ability to transition to net when given pace could create opportunities to disrupt Swiatek’s rhythm, especially on break points.
– Mental edge and experience in big stages could play a key role for Swiatek, but Arango’s determination and willingness to go for her shots could test the top seed more than expected.
This match offers a hopeful narrative for tennis fans: Swiatek’s continued dominance and consistency against a hungry opponent eager to prove herself on one of the sport’s biggest stages. If Swiatek maintains her level and avoids lapses, she should advance, but Arango’s game plan and fearlessness could produce moments of upset potential.
Summary: Swiatek starts as the favorite against Arango, with both players carrying different forms and goals into the match. Swiatek aims to set the tone for her 2025 US Open run, while Arango seeks to translate her grit into a breakthrough performance at Flushing Meadows. A positive, high-intensity start to the Open could set the tone for an exciting tournament ahead.