Having already clinched two titles in France, Swiatek, World No.1, will be vying for her third major championship at Roland Garros, in two days’ time. She advanced to the final after a commanding performance against Beatriz Haddad Maia, prevailing with a 6-2, 7-6(7) victory in the second semifinal on Thursday.
Haddad Maia made a strong start to the match, breaking Swiatek in the very first game. However, Swiatek remained undeterred and swiftly responded with a break of her own. After a hard-fought half hour, the Pole took a 4-2 lead and eventually sealed the set on her own serve, leaving the Brazilian with a deficit. The World No.1 concluded the set with another break.
In the second set, Haddad Maia came out with all guns blazing. She adopted a more aggressive approach, taking greater risks, and it paid off as she gained a 3-1 lead with a breakpoint. Nevertheless, Swiatek showcased her resilience and fighting spirit, catching up to her opponent. Determined to make her mark, the Pole unleashed a powerful shot that grazed the tape, securing her third consecutive game. Haddad Maia continued her efforts to turn the match around, leading to a tie-break. The intensity of emotions reached its peak, but ultimately, Swiatek emerged victorious.
Unstoppable Swiatek Advances to French Open Final
Similar to her remarkable achievement in 2020 when she won her first Grand Slam title as an unseeded player ranked 54th in the world, Swiatek has yet to drop a set on her path to the final. On Saturday, she will go head-to-head with Karolina Muchova from the Czech Republic, who staged an incredible comeback, saving a match point in a thrilling 3-hour, 13-minute battle against the second-seeded Aryna Sabalenka.
Furthermore, Swiatek’s triumph, coupled with Sabalenka’s defeat, guarantees that the Polish player will maintain No.1 after the conclusion of Roland Garros, regardless of the outcome of the match against Muchova.
Iga Świątek – Beatriz Haddad Maia 2-0 (6:2, 7:6)