Inside the never-ending puzzle of US Open match scheduling

NEW YORK -- It might not have escaped people's notice that Iga Swiatek was the first match on court at the US Open on Thursday, the Pole easing into the third round with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Nadia Podoroska of Argentina.

Swiatek likes to play the opening match if she can. In a packed schedule with singles and doubles matches jostling for position, having a definite start time is something she enjoys, while getting the job done early and getting away from the grounds by early to midafternoon is an added bonus.