Home Sport Iga Swiatek becoming French Open's new Rafael Nadal as she wins fourth...

Iga Swiatek becoming French Open's new Rafael Nadal as she wins fourth Paris title


Ruthless Iga Swiatek smashed Jasmine Paolini in an embarrassingly one-sided French Open final to become the youngest woman to ever win four titles here.

The world No.1 outclassed the Italian to win 6-2 6-1 in only 68 minutes.

She won 11 consecutive games before Paolini, cheered on by the Court Phillipe-Chatrier crowd, avoided getting bagelled in the second set by holding her serve at 0-5.

The Pole joins legends Monica Seles (1990-92) and Justine Henin (2007-09) in winning three consecutive titles at Roland Garros

And 2020 winner Swiatek, who only turned 23 on May 31, lifts her fourth title sooner than Henin, Chris Evert and Steffi Graf. At this rate she could equal Evert’s record of seven titles here in 2027.

And Swiatek can go on and dominate women’s tennis – especially on clay – for the next decade.

King of Clay Rafa Nadal won 14 titles here and the Queen of Clay could get close to his record total.

The Madrid and Rome Masters champion has now won 19 consecutive matches on clay.

Since saving a match point against Naomi Osaka in the second round, she has dropped only 20 games while taking 40 minutes to double bagel Anastasia Potapova for the loss of 10 points before destroying Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova.

This was another mis-match. The 5ft 4ins Italian offered hope of a huge upset when she broke to lead 2-1 in the opening set when Swiatek smacked a wild forehand long.

But the No.12 was to win only another four points in the 40-minute first set.

The barrage even intensified in the second set. Paolini’s trademark smile was rarely seen until she clubbed a backhand winner down the line at 0-5.

Swiatek claimed the £2million winner’s cheque with a big service winner on her first set point before climbing into the stands to celebrate with her team.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here