Has Iga Swiatek regained top form after ‘great confirmation’ during Elena Rybakina match?
Iga Swiatek notched up another big French Open feat with her win over Elena Rybakina, but the bigger question is whether or not that was the match that has given her the self-belief that she can win another title in Paris.
Former world No 1 Swiatek has not won a trophy since she secured her fourth title at Roland Garros last June with that also her last final.
She has slumped to No 5 in the WTA Rankings after she failed to successfully defend her titles at the Madrid Open and Italian Open.
After being stunned by Danielle Collins in the third round in Rome, many suggested that the Pole could struggle to reach the business end at the French Open.
But Swiatek has not lost at the clay-court Grand Slam since her quarter-final exit in 2022 and on Sunday she made it 25 consecutive wins at the tournament after coming from a set down against Rybakina.
She is only the fifth player in the Open Era to secure 25 or more consecutive wins at Roland Garros after Rafael Nadal, Chris Evert, Bjorn Borg and Monica Seles.
The 24-year-old believes she “needed a match like that” after claiming a 1-6, 6-3, 7-5 win.
“It means a lot. I think I needed that kind of win to feel these feelings that I’m able to win under pressure,” she said.
“And even if it’s not going the right way, still turn the match around to win it. It’s a great confirmation for me. I wanted to have a match like that.
“Obviously, it’s great to also have full control over the match. Against great players it’s not always gonna be possible. I’m happy I fought. I also problem-solved on court.”
French Open News
Iga Swiatek ‘felt like she was playing Jannik Sinner’ in French Open thriller against Elena Rybakina
The fifth seed was broken twice in the first set and then also lost her serve in the opening game of the second set, but then got some “clarity”.
She broke twice as she won five games in a row and then claimed a second break late in the decider to earn the win.
“I wasn’t too positive when I found myself a break down in the second set, but I told myself that I would fight for every point until the end and that I would give it my all to try to change something,” the five-time Grand Slam winner revealed.
“It was crucial to start returning her second serves better. I think she slightly dropped her leg intensity, and I had more time to play my game.
“My mind cleared, and I understood better what I needed to do. I could lose, but I wasn’t going to allow myself not to give everything on the court.”
