Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud advanced to the US Open mixed doubles semi-finals on Tuesday, securing two consecutive victories despite
Swiatek's recent Cincinnati Open win just hours earlier. The pair defeated Madison Keys and Frances Tiafoe, followed by Caty McNally and Lorenzo Musetti at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Swiatek and Ruud needed only 39 minutes to beat Keys and Tiafoe 4-1, 4-2 in their opening match. They returned 20 minutes later to overcome McNally and Musetti 5-3, 4-2 in the quarter-finals.
Swiatek had a demanding schedule, arriving at her New York hotel early Tuesday morning after winning the Cincinnati Open on Monday against Jasmine Paolini.
"Honestly the last two days have felt like one day, but I'm super happy to be here," Swiatek said. "Honestly I think actually it's kind of nice for the recovery. To have another task and to not let yourself be lazy but also focused on the next exciting thing."
The newly formed doubles partnership managed a quick practice session before their matches.
"I was happy to team up with Iga," Ruud commented. "She's on the winning train these days so I'm just jumping on the train and let's see if we can win some more before the mixed doubles is over. I think everyone should show some appreciation to Iga today. She only got to her hotel 12 hours ago at 2.30am, and she's here playing."
Swiatek and Ruud will face top seeds Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper in Wednesday's semi-finals. Pegula and Draper eliminated Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu 4-2, 4-2, before defeating Daniil Medvedev and Mirra Andreeva 4-1, 4-1.
Medvedev and Andreeva had previously defeated
Novak Djokovic and Olga Danilovic 4-2, 5-3 in the first round.
Venus Williams and Reilly Opelka were eliminated by Karolina Muchova and Andrey Rublev, losing 4-2, 5-4.
Defending champions Andrea Vavassori and Sara Errani defeated second seeds Elena Rybakina and Taylor Fritz 4-2, 4-2.
World number one Jannik Sinner withdrew from the mixed doubles due to illness, having retired during his Cincinnati Open final against Alcaraz. Sinner and partner Katerina Siniakova were replaced by Americans Danielle Collins and Christian Harrison.
The US Open mixed doubles competition is being held over Tuesday and Wednesday, preceding the main singles draws.
The tournament features modified scoring rules, with short sets to four games, no-advantage scoring, tiebreakers at four-all, and a 10-point match tiebreak instead of a third set.
The final will use a best-of-three set format to six games, with no-advantage scoring, tiebreakers at six-all, and a 10-point match tiebreaker replacing the third set. The winning pair will receive $1 million.
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