Iga Swiatek vs. Ena Shibahara Full Match | 2024 US Open Round 2

move through the draw with the minimum of fast let's see how she gets on she will begin this second round match ready play 15 you were just telling me Andrea off air that you've come up against aara in the past what are your memories of that day that was on the doubles Court it was on the doubles Court yes I played her on grass in Berlin and she played very flat good backhand and uh let's see if she applies the same thing on the singles Court as well [Applause] and this is the bread and butter of shant when she can control the court from the center with her forehand side has a bit of an extreme grip so can be rushed into that Wing but when she has time just so heavy that ground stroke was nice of early appreciation from this arth Stadium crowd want to see a battle today W they but so I assume they'll greatest of respect they're going to get behind uh shibahara today give her some love 14 15 former Champion here of course 2022 success in Paris she added another Rand Garis trophy to a growing collection a few weeks ago it's well done foot speed and a successful Opening Service game first telling herself that she keeps to keep looking to move forward we know how successful she is in the double so we'll have to see if that's part of her game plan but that's been one indication that that's her strategy out here to try and apply that pressure to sponch nice thanks Jill checking in with you on a regular basis and I love when they show this angle this camera angle just to get a feel at home of how fastpaced the game has become that was a great indication of the return quality of osion tech [Applause] touched him already from from when you played the Japanese player of the shape of first shot compared to eagers so you don't always pick up on from the the higher camera angle I'm sure that's something that that Jill will be keeping a closer as well courau side yeah she has the perfect view just behind the net so she can keep us updated on the height above the net and you could see already how EA's ground strokes differ from each other 153 we'll be looking forward to your average net clearance calculations Jill you got your calculator with you I'm on it I'm I'm keeping an eye on it I will let you know so far I would say does have a little bit more high clearance especially on that forand side she's got such great rotation [Applause] thir early games are important there something we were talking about in the previous match with Nicholson facing cner and the conversation we were having yesterday sticking to these top players unforunate you can see how quickly shibahara is up to those short balls that is obviously a quality you have to learn in doubles fairly quickly to recognize the short balls first and then to move up to them quickly but a first break chance for the world number one now well the perfect start for the top seed and former champion throw nerves today that will help to settle those nice consistency in the beginning from sponch obviously they haven't played each other before so seon's being smart right now just playing her best margins keeping the ball cross and I have to say that that last game shibahara just pressing a little bit especially on that last backhand semifinalist in Cincinnati coming into the US Open L to sabalenka there in straight set in the last four very very quick cours in Cincy that was one of the talking points that week 15 which historically have been tougher conditions for eager to to dominate opponents on many will know at home on her beloved clay especially the Paris clay where she has built a phenomenal record over the last few years a beautiful serve something she's working we touched on the extreme grip she has on the forehand and on the clay you just through the graininess of the surface it breaks the ball down a bit and it's easier for eager to get underneath the ball and create that heavy rotation on the forehand side 4 looking smooth so far G another decent serve and the perfect opening three games for the top first set three first set 26 years of age born in the US in fact over on the west coast in California and played college tennis in this part of the world so very familiar with these sort of conditions UCLA was a brewing over on the west coast La 13 eight in a row for eager who's starting to really dominate this opening set [Applause] 153 a couple of attempts to rush the net here by shibahara so not sure how loud Jill Kraus is speaking now there but she might have heard Jill who suggested that as a game plan right Jill that's right sar's just having trouble with my um button to go on air but here I am we can hear you okay great loud and clear 15 14 I was just going to comment that the one thing that I have noticed with shibahara is that the ball is coming so fast back at her that she's barely had time to get ready off the surf she's just getting caught on her back foot and it's because how early and aggressive sponch takes that ball that's a nice combination as well safe break point bang on the line those will grow the confidence G that's just too good [Music] it's even Shahara I just think that's what IGA does when she rolls and it was such a good point made by Jill earlier about her return quality that's one of her biggest strengths is how aggressively she returns which also interestingly can at times be her biggest downfall because she just refuses to take a step back against the big servers we see her struggle against the rakas Sabal Lenas nosas in this world who have this big first strike and this stubbornness makes somebody so good but sometimes in a few moments can also hinder them from achieving even more things then she wouldn't lose any match at all imagine that the graphic that we saw briefly is to remind you to download the US Open app follow all your favorite players all the scores the stats highlights on there as well get the player news and the schedules to new this year watch live 3D views of all singles matches that's available on the App Store and Google Play Store I almost feel like Shahara could take a step back on her return I mean she's struggling reacting to sponch serve right now she's getting a little bit caught I think that has a lot to do with with her doubles play she's so used to taking that ball early feel like she could give herself a little bit more space 40 love yeah that's a good point that don't think EA has lost a point on her where is she on her first serve well she's nine out of 12 so she's winning 75% of first serves and 90% of second s there we have it 89 I round it up sorry game it's been almost perfect so far from the top SE looking good take lead five five games she's only dropped New York City for the top seed he was full of energy far end of the Court just watching him through have footwork drills getting ready for another return game good view down there Jill of the intensity that eager brings to the court five lovees she's dropped six points but so much desire and intensity from her end of the Court yeah definitely she always brings that that intensity and it's right from the very first point and you can feel that from the other side of the court and that's something that the top players do so well is that especially IGA she gets on top of you right from the start I I do feel like the whole situation might be causing shibahara to be a little bit I mean she does look nervous out there if I if I'm looking at her face in between the points so I think a lot of it is just getting used to the experience yes she's been on the big stage in doubles it's much different here on the singles Court just her out there no partner to help her so she's got got to figure this out it's an awesome experience to have and I agree with Andrea like if she can just settle a little bit and get some of these longer rallies get into the match a little bit more thir all 304 second double fult from the Japanese player very quickly the top seed with set point four game first Bagel in just 23 minutes he has raced through that so let's see how set two goes particularly for the qualifier who feel has been a little bit over rawed by the the occasion perhaps out 15 left as SE is concerned she'll be delighted she won't care too much particularly after a tricky Opening match the most convincing performance four and six the first round nice that's better a nice reaction too 15 I love the mindset to try and push herself not give up on herself that's so easy to do these players know that EA shant when she gets on a roll just hands out the bagels so that's a good way to showing and signaling to the opponent I still believe in myself 503 I do think that's small Outpost she bahara had it was a positive one I think she needed that she needed to let out some of that tension cuz right away when she got ready for that next serve she just had a little more intensity about her so much about stage presence and how you show yourself on the court I often compare it to theater where you kind of wear a mask when you step on the court and try to signal to the opponent I'm here here I believe in myself I'm full of confidence power poses all the way 14 a little outcry from eiga 2 who is pushing back these are my favorite things in tennis Thomas looking on the man who never Smiles as I like to term him dis smile about so far G fraction long so the continues second they respond that much I think she was trying to look for some energy from them but they were just kind of looking very relaxed and now they've kind of put their hand to their heart trying to give her something to to grab on to [Applause] that's just too good that was one of shara's best shots and responds with how quick she moves around the court and cuts that angle off incredible athleticism 15 semi for in the mix Shan that was with mte pavich of impressive doubles achievements man this was the perfect example of what Jill just talked about that heaviness of EA's ground strokes how they get away from shibahara who almost prefers to play beneath the hip a lot of women like to play height maybe a bit above but she almost likes it even lower so that rotation that EA has is really troubling [Applause] her 15 14 pushing for yet another break of serve she can open up a two love lead you start to worry about of time left for shibahara to work back into this second set it's best of best of three T matches you get off to a slow start one player dominates the early stages they disappear so quickly especially if you're feeling a bit tight up there [Applause] ni here and you're so rightly because it's been 32 minutes and already she has to fear to not even get on the board and in a best of five you have a bit more time you and that already relaxes you and you settle in quicker because you know there is time to get into the match not so here [Applause] here we go then imagine she's going to get an awful lot of love from this crowd if she can convert this game point coming up the top seat under some good pressure there nice 360 from EA even that wasn't enough it's tough yeah well played by IGA one once more and that backhand down the line really had her starting win those major titles when she came up I practiced with her a lot she had a great backand but almost kept it always crosscourt and she Incorporated that down the line and it opened up so many more opportunities for her in a rally sets up her forehand most girls lift their backand down the line with their forehand that's much better probably the best point she's played so far great stuff and Shahara that was excellent from shibahara just the movement alone increased she was much better at getting behind the ball getting in better position her footwork was definitely more accurate those quick small steps yeah the best rally of her for her so far 13 shots that's been the longest rally game point once more L for for turn was back on it quickly G point she's had she's unable been unable to make a first serve on both occasions unfortunately yeah the first serve was a Leed and you could hear all the crowd behind me go oh just praying wanting her to get on the board ad Shahara man I wonder whether I know her the white surf is shahar's favorite but I wonder whether she should try and go for that t serf into EA's forehand where she can be late at times when it has enough Pace or she will lift it and then shibahara can step in and take it early that's what she tried okay she misses the first serve that's really unfortunate because her natural movement goes more to EA's backand and that's the shot she returns better on more solid on you can see it this is more of a kick motion she throws it behind her over to the left side and it's really hard to get a slice on that from that Ball [Applause] Toss and that is Shar first Ace she reproduce sort of quality on what is uh a fourth game points [Music] and we go lengthy second game on Ninth minute and vage Shahara [Applause] top seats in a a ruthless mood today not budge five game points have come and gone juice number six too good great anticipation that time she was ready for that volley Miss fiant was so fast up to that ball as soon as she saw saw shibahara having to hit that half volley that first step up was so quick to get up to take that ball on the rise chance to break now Mak some good power yeah now she had that now she got that bit of pace into the forehand side got that shorter return which she wasn't able to pull off when she's had game points but 10 minutes and going and she's still in this game still nothing to show for it on the scoreboard as yet a couple of nice [Applause] for surely this time crowd are ready Andrea Pekovic is ready next to me I'm ready I know we're supposed to stay impartial aren't we but we all wanted to get on the board here oh it's good wow can you believe it stunning stunning forehand there was a great shot by shibahara had fantastic depth and spin let's take a look here doesn't quite get the direction right and this shot here is so good but IGA Shante gets her body weight behind it swings through confidence perfect execution game this has become 13th minute now and Shara the game goes on I think the longer the longer and louder the cheer will be if she can finally convert here another chance to level the scores early in this second set there we go and well nice to see such big smile how did that sound down there Joe it pretty loud it was relatively long as well but it was loud I just took one headset off and I had to put it back on because of how loud everyone was cheering but how how nice is that we've got a lot of smiles particularly around me and looking at shibahara just really getting behind her and a huge smile from Anna as well 15 L just as importantly Jill the level looking a lot better all of a sudden just a bit more belief maybe definitely looks more comfortable I think she moved back a little bit just to give her some extra time she was being so rushed when her Court position was on top of the Baseline and now in the rally she's just a couple extra feet behind the Baseline just giving herself a little extra time to see the ball to get set up still feel like she can take the first serve maybe start a little further back and then move forward she's she's struggling to get that first serve return back in play oh 4 unfazed by the length of the previous game the fact that shibahara made it onto the scoreboard straight back to business gly efficient service game leads by second set one set after 13 minutes of serving but she's up and running that's the main thing we're on serve one two wow well done was there a little Dre play or was definitely okay just checking whatever works right no was incredible volley 3 this is good so much more comfortable out there which is understandable this is an overwhelming or can be an overwhelming Arena to play in must take an awful lot of Poise and composure to settle and then try and get the the best from your game regardless of Who's down the far end took her body up her upper body just did say stay above the ball but she took it back in the last moment you can see it here that's why the ball flies on her but coming back to your point Lee she has shown some great mindset out here so [Applause] positive good body language that was not an easy first set to digest but she's doing very well in their regard thank you no yes four Advantage [Music] Shara Shake of the head almost half followed that back hand that's the one she's contining to struggle is that deep down the center return that cantech is consistently hitting it's shibahara is just not reacting quickly enough off of that serve and she's getting caught on that half fly she's struggling to control that shot no way through and that was well done by Shante who attacked Cross Court with the back hand which opens up some angles for the opponent but did well in remaining calm and then finally putting it away another aspect of her game that still can be improved and it's scary to think that the world number one still has aspects in her game that can be improved so young still 23 years old e got so at the break Three G to one second set it's Tak a little bit longer for the top seed to take control of this second set that's what you're doing you're right in there positive messages from the team just a quick reminder to head to usopen.org that's your online home for Point BYO life scoring highlights all the stats on there the draws and the schedules that's the official tournament website usopen.org 15 left the har has played pretty much three times as many points on serve compared to shanteek in this second set fif in all 32 for the Japanese player on serve in just two service games I just had to double check that that's a remarkable number didn't sound right I was uh looking at it thinking it might be a mistake but then I remember they played 18 minutes that game before so that'll do it four 13 15 again sponch being very smart about these flatter balls coming from shibahara Fant has so much more height over the net than shibahara and that's the one that is giving trouble to shibahara to be able to hit that ball cleanly and there it is again almost as if shant did the same thing on her backand side as well now is that correct or that's exactly right yeah absolutely she's doing it on on both wings I mean it's smart cuz she's she has a good Court position where she can strike through the ball but she's opting to make that choice of hitting the high ball and and shibahara just getting unforced errors from shibahara very nice 43 let's for incredible intensity different story today so trailing 4-1 second set 15 La somehow try and reproduce the tennis that allowed her to get on the board early in the second it's been a much tighter second set despite the score line that's for way longer as well 36 minutes for this set so just 23 for the opening set 15 just showing her intelligence her High tennis IQ here hit the return with a lot of depth push the opponent back behind the Baseline and then hit the short point the end angle to open the court just making the opponent run in all different and all different manners [Applause] come as Shahara just continuing to have to scramble I can hear the footwork between the two as well and like just the intensity of those extra steps to get into position I don't hear it as much on shibahara side but that's the intensity we talked about from the beginning that's Fon Tech brings game so almost lead five games to one second inside our thrash Stadium it's been ruthless and businesslike today well and she will want to end this quickly now just for safety of mind because she has struggled in closing matches out just remember the first round when she was up 53 in the second set everything seemed like a normal day serving for the match and then had to save three set points Cincinnati up 62 5-1 lost the second set so she will want to make quick process here to show herself that she can still do it easily as well love 15 looking at some of the uh results so far today that might have just cleared the path somewhat for Sean Tech miror and draa losing today surprisingly the 21st seed had a tough one with the youngster in ciny quarterfinals that went the distance 15 perhaps would have run into Andrea in the last 16 will very much be one match at a time that's the the Mantra first week of the Maes do you guys really not is that the truth that a lot I know I always did I didn't look exactly which round who was waiting but I always knew who the seated players were in my section so that's how I I never did no do you like to get an idea of the the general landscape yes I like to get an idea of which war I have to go to possibly [Applause] 425 two match points G stress free today for the top SE love six love completely dominant it goes through for the loss of just a single [Applause] game well it looked on paper Andrea like a tough task didn't it the world number one against the the world number 217 who has such little experience at Grand Slam level on a single scor and and that's how it uh that's how it played out that's how it played out shibahara really needed a full set to