Iga Swiatek: Her 5 previous French Open round 1 matches – ahead of 2024 debut
Iga Swiatek is the name on everyone’s lips heading into the French Open this year.
The Pole is an overwhelming favourite to win a fourth Roland Garros title in 2024, with it hard to see who can truly rival her at this tournament in her current form.
Swiatek starts her campaign against French qualifier Leolia Jeanjean on Monday, with the home star as big of an underdog as you can get ahead of this.
And the world No 1 has an impeccable record in round one matches in Paris, winning all five of her previous opening encounters – and not even dropping a set.
2019: def Séléna Janicijevic 6-3, 6-0
Swiatek was approaching her 19th birthday when she made her French Open debut in 2019 and ultimately went on to reach the fourth round.
And her campaign started in some style, dropping just three games in her round one clash against Janicijevic.
The French Wildcard, who was making her Grand Slam debut, won just three games against the future champion – who handed out a trademark bagel in the second set.
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2020: def Marketa Vondrousova 6-1, 6-2
Ranked 54th in the world, the future world No 1 became the lowest-ranked French Open women’s champion in history with her stunning run in 2020.
Swiatek famously did not drop a set on her way to the title, and her opening win against future Wimbledon champion Vondrousova was certainly a statement of intent.
Czech star Vondrousova had reached the final in 2019 and was the 15th seed at the Autumn edition of the event, but the Pole conceded just three games in the first of seven emphatic victories.
2021: def Kaja Juvan 6-0, 7-5
Defending a Grand Slam title for the first time, Swiatek ultimately progressed to the quarter-final as the eighth seed at the 2021 edition of Roland Garros.
And she began her campaign against a very familiar face, in the form of close friend Juvan.
Swiatek dominated the opening set, and though Juvan made things more competitive in the second, the Slovenian was unable to avoid a straight-set loss.
2022: def Lesia Tsurenko 6-2, 6-0
Having risen to world No 1 the previous month, Swiatek was a strong favourite for the title in 2022 – in the middle of her 37-match winning streak – and ultimately won her second major title.
Up against her in the first round was experienced Ukrainian Tsurenko, who battled through qualifying to reach the main draw.
But Tsurenko was unable to continue that momentum, winning just two games as Swiatek dominated throughout.
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2023: def Cristina Bucsa 6-4, 6-0
After failing to win Madrid or Rome in 2023, there were some minor doubts about the world No 1 heading into Roland Garros 12 months ago.
But Swiatek ultimately silenced any doubters with a stunning run to the title and dropped just one set on her way to the title.
She sent out a statement of intent as early as the opening round, dropping just four games to Spanish star Bucsa in a scintillating round one performance.
