US Open Day 5 preview: Swiatek meets 'best friend' Juvan in Round 3

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Kaja Juvan, Iga Swiatek - Roland Garros 2021
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Match of the day: [1] Iga Swiatek

View Profile (POL) vs. [Q] Kaja Juvan (SLO)

Iga Swiatek

View Profile and Kaja Juvan go back a long way.

They met nearly a decade ago as 13-year-olds just starting their journeys in the sport at Tennis Europe's Summer Cups in 2014. They won the doubles gold medal together at the 2018 Rio de Janeiro Youth Olympic Games. And now, they'll play off for a place in the second week of the US Open.

US Open 2023: Draw | Order of play | Scores | 411

"She's my best friend on tour," said defending champion Swiatek after defeating Daria Saville

View Profile in the second round. "She's one of the most honest and I think smart people on tour."

As juniors, Swiatek and Juvan bonded over their love of reading -- Swiatek preferred history, Juvan was into philosophy -- and now, Swiatek says, they share "everything" with each other. They've already gone out for dinner together in New York, despite knowing they were in each other's section of the draw.

"We know how to keep it cool," said Swiatek. "We already played couple of times against each other. I think we both can kind of cut off the off-court friendship and just play our game, and then we are friends back.

"I think we both know how to be professional and just play the match and that's all."

Juvan's journey to the third round has been a testament to the Slovenian's resilience. She was ranked at a career-high of No.58 just over a year ago, but her tennis took a back seat after her father, Robert, died of stomach cancer in December. After initially attempting to keep playing this year, Juvan announced an indefinite break from the tour in April.

For Kaja Juvan, community and contemplation aid grieving process

Weeks later, she returned with a ranking of No.244 -- but also a fresh perspective, and rejuvenated results. Juvan qualified and made the second round of Wimbledon, reached the Budapest quarterfinals, and is now in the third round of a major for the fourth time after surviving five match points in her final qualifying round against Himeno Sakatsume

View Profile .

Swiatek has won both of their tour meetings to date, both in 2021, though neither were wholly straightforward: 2-6, 6-2, 6-1 in the second round of the Gippsland Trophy and 6-0, 7-5 in the first round of Roland Garros. Juvan's quest for a maiden Grand Slam second week may have to wait. But the pair's enduring friendship will ultimately be what matters.

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      Shot of the Month: Muchova's tweener steals the show

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      View Profile (CZE) vs. Taylor Townsend
      View Profile
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