Iga Swiatek races into French Open quarters
Paris, June 1 (UNI) Reigning Roland-Garros champion Iga Swiatek displayed remarkable resilience and strategic brilliance on Sunday as she fought back from a challenging position to overcome Elena Rybakina 1-6, 6-3, 7-5 in the fourth round of the French Open.
The match began with Rybakina dominating the baseline exchanges, using her powerful serve and aggressive groundstrokes to claim the first set convincingly. Swiatek's uncharacteristic slow start saw her drop the opening set 1-6 and fall behind 2-0 early in the second.
However, the Polish world number one recalibrated her game plan, introducing more variety with timely drop shots and sharp angles to disrupt Rybakina's rhythm. Her improved first-serve percentage and deeper court positioning helped her wrest control and take the second set 6-3.
The final set was a tense battle of wills. Both players held serve until 5-5, when Swiatek seized a crucial break to move ahead. Displaying her trademark calm under pressure, she then served out the match with authority to advance to the quarterfinals.
Swiatek's tactical adaptability and mental toughness were lauded by commentators, with former champions highlighting her growth as a complete player, able to weather adversity on the big stage.
This victory marks Swiatek's 25th consecutive win at Roland-Garros, underscoring her dominance on clay. Her last defeat at the tournament was in the 2021 quarterfinals against Maria Sakkari, and she is now poised to add to her multiple Grand Slam titles.
Looking ahead, Swiatek will face Ukraine's Elina Svitolina, who herself has been in fine form, having dispatched her previous opponents with consistent baseline play and tenacity.
Swiatek's win comes amid increasing pressure as the world watches to see if she can defend her title and maintain her supremacy on the Parisian clay courts. Her fitness and mental strength will be crucial in the demanding matches that lie ahead.
The Roland-Garros tournament continues to captivate tennis fans worldwide, with many matches producing thrilling encounters as the field narrows down to the final rounds.
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