Iga Swiatek has become one of the youngest players in the Open Era to win multiple French Open titles after storming to her second Roland Garros trophy on Saturday.
The world No.1 eased her way past American teenager Coco Gauff 6-1, 6-3, who was playing in the final of a major for the first time at the age of 18. Besides winning the tournament for a second time after 2020, Swiatek extends her winning streak to 35 matches. The joint-third longest run on the WTA Tour since 1990. She has also become the first woman to win a sixth straight title in 15 years with the last being Justine Henin between 2007-2008.
Dropping just one set en route to her latest final in the French capital, Swiatek had the mental edge over her opponent after previously beating her twice, including this year’s at the Italian Open. In her latest encounter she produced a total of 18 winners against 16 unforced errors. Although a key telling factor of the match was Gauff’s unforced error tally of 23.
“I want to thank my team, you guys, I mean, oh my god, without you I wouldn’t be here, I’m sure of that. I’m glad every piece has come together and we can do this. We deserve to be here. Thanks for your full support all the time no matter what,” said Swiatek.
“Two years ago winning this title was something amazing that I wouldn’t have expected ever. This time I worked hard to get here.” She later added.
Taking to Court Philippe Chartier, Swiatek got off to a dream start against her visibly nervous opponent who struggled to keep down her error count. She drew her first blood in the opening game when a duo of Gauff mistakes from the backhand and forehand sides enabled her to break instantly. Swiatek went on to seal the double break after coming through a marathon Gauff service game which concluded with a nine-shot rally she won after another forehand error from her opponent.
It took more than 20 minutes before Gauff managed to get herself onto the scoreboard. Prompting cheers from the crowd who wanted to see a fight back from the world No.23. However, Swiatek’s powerful shot-making and athletic ability was on full display as she clinched the opener with relative ease. On her second set point opportunity, she punished a Guaff serve out wide with a backhand return that forced yet another error from her rival. Coincidentally, this is the fifth women’s French Open final where at least one set was won with the score of 6-1.
Swiatek’s clinical start to the final unexpectedly vanished at the start of the second frame with an uncharacteristic error-stricken game enabling Gauff to race out to a 2-0 lead. However, the blip was only momentary with the Pole turning up the heat once again by winning four games in a row. As the mistakes continued to come off Gauff’s racket, a vintage Swiatek moved to a game from victory after just over an hour of play. Serving for the title, she prevailed on her first championship point when a 148mph serve was returned out by Gauff. Resulting in Swiatek dropping to her knees in delight as tears began to fall down the face of her opponent.
“What you’ve done on tour the past couple of months has truly been amazing and you totally deserve it. Hopefully we can play each other in more finals and I can get a win over you one of these days,” an emotional Gauff said to the 2022 champion afterwards.
“I like to thank my team. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to get this one but hopefully this is the first (Grand Slam) final of many.”
During the trophy presentation, the two-time major winner concluded her speech by telling Ukraine to “stay strong because the world is still there.’ The remarks prompted a standing ovation.
Swiatek has become only the ninth woman in the Open Era to have won multiple French Open titles and the fourth-youngest to do so. Furthermore, she is only the fifth player to have won the title whilst being the top seed over the past 25 years. Her Career win-loss record at the tournament now stands at 21-2 which is currently one of the best winning percentages in history.
