Iga Swiatek overcame a patchy performance marred by 41 unforced errors to squeeze through for a 6-4, 7-6 (6) first round win at the US open over Kamilla Rakhimova.

The world No. 1 escaped with the win in just under two hours as her opponent who entered the main draw as a lucky loser from qualifying donated three unforced errors on set points in the second.

Swiatek managed to scrape to the finishing line on her first winning chance.

The top-seeded Pole who won the title here in 2022, won her 22nd out of 23 Grand Slam first round matches played. Swiatek’s only loss at this stage came at Wimbledon five years ago.

 “I’m happy that I’m through to the second round, because first rounds are never
easy,” she said. .

“But for sure I want to improve some things and adjust a little bit so I’ll make less mistakes.”

Swiatek, four times a Roland Garros winner, maintained her perfect career record of never losing a set to a qualifier or lucky loser at a major as she played her 80th match at the Slams .

Danielle Collins, the 2022 Australian Open finalist and 11th seed, wrapped up her career with a loss and did not hang around on the Ashe court for what was to have been a ceremony in her honour staged by organisers.

Instead, officials were seen carrying bouquets of flowers back into the stadium bowels as the American left the court without pause after going out 1-6, 7-5, 6-4 to compatriot Caroline Dolehide.

The No. 49 challenger wasted three set points in the second before converting on a fourth to carry the contest into a deciding set.

Dolehide broke for a 5-3 lead, saving two  Collins match points in the ninth game before finishing the upset on her own third match-winning chance.

“I think I had 12 days off, minimal preparation going into it,” Collins said.

“.I did my best, that’s all I could do.

“There were times that I had some good shots, and there were times that it didn’t go my way

“I’ve physically really been through it since the Olympics, it’s been a struggle.”

Dolehide’s victory was her first at her home major and brought down the curtain on the Collins career. The winner now faces Olympic doubles gold medalist Sara Errani of Italy in the second round.

Japam’s Naomi Osaka, a former No. 1 who had to go through qualifying as she comes back to the WTA after childbirth, earned her first Top 10 win in four years as she defeated former Roland Garros winner Jelena Ostapenko 6-3, 6-2.

The Latvian saved two match points before two-time New York champion Osaka prevailed in just over an hour, ending with her 19th winner.

“I tried not to cry when I was walking onto court,” she said. “last year 9when she returned from maternity break) I didn’t know if I’d ever step on this court again.

“To win this match in this atmosphere means so much to me. It was tough to close it out – I was stressed.

“But I told myself to keep going and maybe I’d have an opportunity – and I did.’

Former No 1 Caroline Wozniacki, like Osaka a mother, lost just three games against Nao Hibino in reaching the second round. Teenaged Mirra Andreeva defeated Camila Osorio 6-2, 7-6  (4).

“Obviously you want to get a good start into the tournament,” Wozniacki said. “It’s a warm day, playing someone who I’ve never played before, so that’s always tricky. 

“I started off well, I served pretty well and got a lot of balls back. I was pleased with the way I played today.”

Britain’s Katie Boulter advanced with a 5-7, 6-2, 6-1 comeback over qualifier Aleksandra Sasnovich. 

The 28-year-old British winner dropped serve three times in the first set before steadying in the comeback effort.”It’s not easy coming out here to play your first round against someone who has been top 30 – she knows how to play tennis,” Boulter told British media.

“I knew it would be a battle, she’s played three matches on these courts.”

Main photo:- Katie Boulter celebrates as she wins first round match – by Mark Greenwood International Sports Fotos Ltd