Swiatek survives scare as Sinner and Osaka cruise at US Open

NEW YORK :Iga Swiatek weathered an unexpected storm to reach the U.S. Open third round on Thursday, while defending men's champion Jannik Sinner delivered a masterclass and Naomi Osaka rediscovered her groove at Flushing Meadows.

But the day's most dramatic moments belonged to Coco Gauff, who wiped away tears mid-match before rallying to beat Donna Vekic and avenge her Olympic heartbreak from Paris.

Second seed Swiatek, fresh from her Wimbledon triumph and Cincinnati title, was forced to grind it out against unseeded Suzan Lamens in a 6-1 4-6 6-4 thriller on Arthur Ashe Stadium that proved far trickier than expected.

"It got a bit complicated in the second set, but I'm happy that I could reset and start playing better in the third," said the 2022 champion, who sealed victory with an ace to set up a clash with 29th seed Anna Kalinskaya.

World number one Sinner had no such trouble, dismantling Australian Alexei Popyrin 6-3 6-2 6-2 in ruthless fashion to book a third-round date with Canadian 27th seed Denis Shapovalov.

Osaka, the 23rd seed, rolled past American Hailey Baptiste 6-3 6-1 to reach the tournament's third round for the first time since 2021.

"I was just really trying to focus and not give her any free points and just be positive," said the two-time champion. "I'm really excited to be moving better."

She then weighed in on the raging debate at the tournament after Wednesday's heated on-court row between local hope Taylor Townsend and Jelena Ostapenko, condemning the Latvian for her comments toward her opponent.

The night session brought high drama as defending champion Gauff struggled with her serve against Vekic, the Croatian who had beaten her at last year's Paris Olympics.

After weeping into her towel following a