Iga Świątek secured her third consecutive French Open title in spectacular fashion, overpowering Italy’s Jasmine Paolini with a resounding 6-2, 6-1 victory. This triumph marks Świątek’s fifth grand slam crown and her fourth at Roland Garros, solidifying her status as a clay court powerhouse with a remarkable winning streak of 21 matches at the tournament.
Despite Paolini briefly breaking her serve and taking an early lead in the first set, Świątek responded with an unstoppable onslaught, winning the next 10 games consecutively. Paolini, facing the formidable challenge, managed to get on the scoreboard late in the match, but it was too little, too late.
With the match firmly in her grasp at 5-1 in the second set, Świątek confidently held her serve to clinch the victory, prompting an emotional celebration as she sank to her knees in joy before embracing her team in the stands.
Throughout the tournament, Świątek’s dominance was evident, having dropped only 17 games in her past five matches. Her only hiccup came in the second round against Naomi Osaka, where she saved a match point before rallying to victory.
Reflecting on her triumph, Świątek expressed her love for Roland Garros and gratitude for the support she received, acknowledging the rollercoaster of emotions the tournament brought.
“I love this place, I wait every year to come back here,” Świątek said in her on-court interview. “I was almost out of the tournament in the second round so thank you for staying with me, it’s been a really emotional tournament. To everyone at home, my sister, my family, my sponsors – thank you for the constant support.”
Meanwhile, Paolini, though comprehensively outplayed by Świątek, showcased her resilience and determination, securing her place in the top 10 for the first time in her career following her impressive run in Paris.
“Congratulations to everyone who made this tournament possible,” Paolini said in her on-court interview.
“It has been the best days of my life, it’s still going because tomorrow I have the doubles final. It’s been a very intense 15 days and I’m really happy and proud of myself and my team to be here. Today was tough but I’m really proud of myself anyway.”
Świątek’s historic achievement of winning three consecutive French Open titles puts her in elite company alongside legends like Monica Seles and Justine Henin. The comparison to Rafael Nadal, with his unparalleled success at Roland Garros, only adds to the anticipation of Świątek’s future in the sport. As she continues to etch her name in the annals of tennis history, Świątek’s legacy as one of the greatest clay court players of her generation is firmly established.
