Ons Jabeur v Iga Swiatek: road to US Open final - in pictures

Tunisian and Pole set for battle at Flushing Meadows on Saturday

ONS JABEUR ROAD TO US OPEN FINAL: First round: Defeated Madison Brengle of the United States 7-5, 6-2. “It was tricky the whole match,” Jabeur said. “I had a lot of opportunities to break her serve. She's not a big server, so I always knew I had to really just put the ball in and put pressure [on her] so I can get more and more [opportunities]." AP

Second round: Defeated Elizabeth Mandlik of the United States 7-5, 6-2. "Just happy that I managed the conditions," said Jabeur. "Was kind of tough to deal with the humidity, but hopefully I will improve even better and play even better in the third round."

Third round: Defeated Shelby Rogers of the United States 4-6, 6-4, 6-3. "Crazy, crazy match,” Jabeur said. “Shelby plays really well. It was difficult to adapt to how well she was playing. I was happy that I kept fighting to the end and got the win.” AFP

Fourth round: Beat Veronika Kudermetova of Russia 7-6, 6-4. “It was a very difficult match," said Jabeur. “At the beginning she was 5-2 up and it's very tough to play her, very frustrating for me, but I had to accept it and keep building. In the end, everything clicked together." AFP

Quarter-finals: Defeated Ajla Tomljanovic of Australia 6-4, 7-6. “I’m just trying to do my job here and hopefully I’ll inspire more and more generations from Africa. It really means a lot to me," said Jabuer. “Definitely I believe more in myself. I made it to the final at Wimbledon so I believe I can make it another time." USA TODAY Sports

Tunisia's Ons Jabeur celebrates after winning against France's Caroline Garcia during their 2022 US Open Tennis tournament women's singles semi-final match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York, on September 8, 2022. (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP)

IGA SWIATEK ROAD TO US OPEN FINAL: First round: Defeated Jasmine Paolini of Italy 6–3, 6–0. "I really like playing these first matches because [they’re] good tests for me. I can find my rhythm," said Swiatek. "The last few tournaments I’ve started with byes, so it’s great to be able to play some matches." AP

Second round: Defeated Sloane Stephens of the United States 6–3, 6–2. Swiatek said of playing on Arthur Ashe Stadium for first time: "I just tried to have the same kind of motivation and attitude as on any other court as it's the best way for me to perform well but for sure it’s a lot. It’s a dream come true." USA TODAY Sports

Third round: Defeated Lauren Davis of the United States 6–3, 6–4. “Well, for sure it wasn't as smooth as in first and second round," Swiatek said. "She played totally differently than most of the players, which threw me a little bit off the rhythm. But I'm happy I was fighting until the end.” AFP

Fourth round: Defeated Jule Niemeier of Germany 2–6, 6–4, 6–0. “I’m just proud that I didn’t lose hope,” Swiatek said. “I had a hard time pushing her back. I’m pretty glad it worked. I used my experience to keep my level the whole match.” AFP

Quarter-finals: Defeated Jessica Pegula of the United States 6–3, 7–6. “I’m super proud of myself. My goal, basically, is to be consistent,” Swiatek said. “I remember when I was an underdog and every match like that was surreal. Now it feels pretty routine.” Reuters

Semi-finals: Defeated Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus 3–6, 6–1, 6–4. "I needed to go all in to change the momentum," Swiatek said. "I felt a huge difference between the first set and the last two. I'm pretty happy that I got my level of energy up a little bit." AFP

The final of the US Open in New York on Saturday will see world No 1 Iga Swiatek take on Ons Jabeur at Flushing Meadows.

Swiatek will be looking to win her third major title, having twice triumphed at the French Open, including this year at Roland Garros when she crushed American teenager Coco Gauff in Paris.

The Pole admitted that she is still learning to trust herself on the fast North American hard courts, where she struggled in tune-up events before coming to New York, after going on a 37-match winning streak earlier in the year.

“I trust myself for sure on clay, and maybe also other surfaces,” she said.

“Here I just try to accept maybe that sometimes I'm not going to trust myself, and I still need to prove myself in a couple of matches against heavy hitters.”

The battle in New York will be Jabeur's second Slam final in succession having been defeated by Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina at Wimbledon in July. The Tunisian has yet to claim a major win.

“It feels more real just to be in the finals again,” said Jabeur. “At Wimbledon I was kind of just living the dream, and I couldn’t believe it. Even after the match, I was just going to do my things and not realising it was an amazing achievement already.

“But now I hope I’m getting used to it. I’m just happy the fact that I backed up the results in Wimbledon and people are not really surprised I’m in the finals.

“I feel very positive about this one. The most important thing is not to regret, because I’m going to give it all on this one. Even if this one is not going to happen, I’m very sure that another one will come.”

Jabeur and Swiatek are tied at 2-2 from their four previous meetings but the Pole won their only match this year in the final in Rome in May.

In the gallery above you can see how both players reached the final at Flushing Meadows. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.