World No. 1 Iga Świątek Stunned in US Open Quarterfinals, Ending Grand Slam Surge】
World No. 1 Iga Świątek’s run at the 2024 US Open came to an abrupt halt on September 5, when she was beaten in the quarterfinals by America’s Jessica Pegula, 2‑6, 4‑6. The loss sparked a wave of discussion across social media, with the Chinese hashtag “斯瓦泰克无缘美网4强” (“Świątek misses US Open semifinals”) trending as fans grappled with the unexpected early exit of the tournament’s top seed.
4 September 2025
After the match, Świątek was unusually candid about what she felt on court. “It felt like everything in my tennis collapsed,” she said. “I didn’t even have my feet in the right place before the shot. I wish I could move better.” The remarks underscored a rare moment of vulnerability from a player who has, up to this point, seemed almost untouchable.
Świątek’s disappointment in New York was amplified by the context of her recent résumé. 2024 was a banner year for the Polish star. The International Tennis Federation named her the ITF Women's Singles World Champion, recognizing her consistency across the season. In July, she captured her first Wimbledon title, outlasting Russia’s Anna Anisimova in a hard‑fought final and completing a rare three‑surface Grand Slam – she already held the US Open crown from 2022 and added a fourth French Open trophy in 2024, joining her previous Roland Garros victories in 2020, 2022 and 2023. By winning Wimbledon, Świątek became the first woman in the Open Era to claim Grand Slam titles on clay, grass and hard courts within a twelve‑month span.
Her 2022 US Open final appearance was also a milestone, marking only the second time she has reached the tournament’s championship match. The contrast between that deep run and this year’s quarterfinal loss highlighted the fine margins at the sport’s highest level.
Despite the setback in Flushing Meadows, Świątek’s season remains on a high trajectory. As of September 3, 2025, she and fellow top‑ranked player Aryna Sabalenka have secured their places in the year‑end WTA Finals, ensuring that both will continue to feature prominently in the sport’s culminating showcase. Their qualification underscores the depth of competition at the summit of women’s tennis, where rivals such as Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka continue to vie for major titles.
Świątek’s defeat will undoubtedly fuel speculation about whether this loss signals a shift in the balance of power on the women’s tour. Yet her record – four French Open crowns, a US Open title, a Wimbledon triumph and the ITF world champion honor – cements her status as one of the era’s most dominant forces. As the season moves forward, the world will be watching to see whether she can translate her 2024 successes into another deep Grand Slam run and, perhaps, reclaim the semifinals she missed at the US Open.
