SWEEP “SURREAL”

Iga Swiatek arrived at Roland Garros as the defending champion, under an injury cloud and needing to make at least the semifinals to retain her world No.1 ranking.

The pressure on the 22-year-old from Poland was undisputable – yet she didn’t show it, conceding only 15 games across her first five matches. This was the most dominant progression to a semifinal in Paris in 28 years.

Swiatek then withstood a spirited challenge from Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia in the final four, before making a blistering start against first-time major finalist Karolina Muchova.

Leading 6-2 3-0 in the final, Swiatek looked set to sweep the title without dropping a set.

However, a dream run almost morphed into a nightmare, as world No.43 Muchova reeled off nine of the next 11 games to take a stranglehold on the match.

But Swiatek dug deep and managed to steady, helping her close out a thrilling 6-2 5-7 6-4 victory in an absorbing two-hour and 45-minute finale.

“The match was really intense, a lot of ups and downs. Stressful moments and coming back,” Swiatek said. “So, I’m pretty happy that at the end I could be solid in those few last games and finish it.

“Karolina really played well. It was a big challenge. I’m happy and really proud of myself that I did it.”

Swiatek cried tears of joy, and relief, on court. And as she signed the camera in her victory celebrations, the word she chose to summarise her feelings was “surreal”.

Mighty Muchova

In contrast, an emotional Muchova could not hide her disappointment.

“The feeling is a little bitter, because I felt it was very close, a close match,” admitted the 26-year-old Czech, who was consoled by seven-time champion Chris Evert during the trophy presentation.

“But overall, I mean, to call myself (a) Grand Slam finalist, it's (an) amazing achievement, and for sure big motivation for me to work in the future and to get a chance again to play for these big titles.”

Muchova enjoyed a magical run of her own in Paris. She tallied a tournament-leading 201 winners to become the fourth lowest-ranked woman to reach a Roland Garros singles final in the Open era.

Variety, as well as composure under pressure, helped Muchova navigate past a string of higherranked opponents. This included world No.8 Maria Sakkari in the first round and world No.2 Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals.

Swiatek, however, ultimately proved a challenge too difficult to handle.

“That’s why she’s world No.1,” Muchova conceded. “You have to bring your best performance to be able to beat her.

“Obviously I’m a little sad … (but) I gave my everything on the court, so I have nothing to regret.”

This effort propelled Muchova to world No.16, bettering her previous career-high of world No.19 achieved in May 2021.

Incredible Iga

Swiatek’s triumph improved her remarkable career record at Roland Garros to 28 wins from 30 matches.

Now a three-time champion in Paris, only three women (Evert, Steffi Graf and Justine Henin) have won more singles titles at the tournament in the Open era.

Swiatek also became the first woman in 16 years (since Henin) to defend a title.

She remains undefeated in Grand Slam finals, joining the exclusive company of Monica Seles and Naomi Osaka as the only women to win their first four major finals, and is the youngest woman to win four Grand Slam titles since Serena Williams.

“I don’t know what I’m kind of capable of,” Swiatek coyly answered when asked how many major titles she hoped to win.

“I will work day-by-day to, you know, play best game possible and to develop as a player. I’m not setting like any crazy records or goals for myself. I know that keeping it cool is the best way to do it for me. I’m trying more to do that.”

AU REVOIR, ARYNA

Although Sabalenka enjoyed a career-best run at Roland Garros, it proved a tumultuous tournament for the world No.2.

The reigning Australian Open champion advanced to the semifinals, making her the first woman to win their first 12 Grand Slam matches in a season since countrywoman Victoria Azarenka in 2013.