Iga Świątek emerged victorious in the women’s final on Saturday, winning her third French Open title in the last four years. She defeated the unseeded Karolína Muchová with a score of 6-2, 5-7, 6-4.
Throughout most of the game, it appeared that the top-ranked player would maintain control in a similar manner to her previous three grand slam victories. After all, Świątek had never dropped a set in a grand slam final and she started off by showcasing her trademark power and consistency that has solidified her dominance on clay since winning her first French Open at the age of 19 in 2020.
Świątek had established a strong lead of 3-0 in the second set and appeared to be on the path to victory. However, Muchová found her groove and started making successful shots that had previously gone awry, putting pressure on the Pole and seemingly breaking her at ease.
After losing the second set, Świątek’s match became chaotic in the third set as both players struggled to gain the upper hand and secure a victory at Roland Garros.
Ultimately, it was Świątek who reaffirmed her status as a star player, successfully maintaining her serve under pressure and fending off a break point to secure a 5-4 advantage in the final set. She then proceeded to break Muchová in the following game, securing her second consecutive French Open title and falling to the ground in jubilation.
“I was extremely impressed by the diversity of your performance on the court and I sincerely hope that we will have the opportunity to compete in many more finals,” Świątek expressed to Muchová during the emotional trophy ceremony.
She acknowledged, “My team is the reason I am here today. Winning this tournament was no easy feat, as we have been on the tour without any breaks for weeks. I am grateful to my family and the many people who traveled from Poland to support me. I am overwhelmed by the love and I truly enjoy being here, it’s my favorite place on tour.”
Muchova’s performance in the tournament had been exceptional, even before the dramatic ending. She reached her first grand slam final, just a year after being told by doctors that her tennis career may be in jeopardy due to serious injuries.
She had already displayed her determination at this competition, bouncing back from a 2-5 deficit and facing a match point against the second-ranked player in the world, Aryna Sabalenka, in the semifinal. She then proceeded to win five consecutive games and surprise Sabalenka, securing her first appearance in a major final.
She tearfully expressed her gratitude, saying “Thank you very much. This is amazing.” The audience applauded her with a standing ovation. She acknowledged that the match was a close one against one of the best players. She also thanked everyone behind the scenes, including those who help in the locker room, physios, and ball kids. Lastly, she expressed her appreciation for her team, stating that they make her feel like a winner.
Initially, Świątek’s strong shots kept Muchová on the defensive, causing her to make several mistakes due to the pressure.
However, despite a sluggish beginning, the Czech player managed to make a comeback in the match by displaying her impressive athleticism and strategic shot choices that have led her to the final. She even managed to challenge Świątek with a break-back point, but ultimately Świątek held on after several deuces and took a 4-1 lead.
At that point, the harm had already been inflicted and Świątek quickly finished the set.
In the beginning, the second set followed a similar pattern where Świątek gained an early advantage. Muchova was able to come close, but was not able to secure the most crucial points. However, she eventually managed to break Świątek and followed it up with a hold.
Out of nowhere, the score was tied 3-3. Muchová had just won three games in a row and it looked like the momentum was changing. The pressure got to Świątek when Muchová took advantage and broke her, giving her a 5-4 lead in the second set. This set up a chance for Muchová to serve for a potential final set.
Even though Świątek stopped that chance, Muchová created another one and secured her third set point to extend the game to a surprising third set. The set went back and forth before Świątek ultimately sealed the victory and earned her fourth grand slam title. She joins a small group of only three other female players to win their first four major finals.
Source: cnn.com
