France,
Wednesday, 29 May, 2024
McCreadie Andias
Defending champion Iga Swiatek executed an emphatic comeback to survive elimination from the claws of four – time champion Naomi Osaka the French Open on Wednesday.
Swiatek pushed to secure a 7-6(1), 1-6, 7-5 victory after saving a match point in a high-voltage second-round match at a closed stadium in Paris.
It was a seemingly clash of titans described as ‘worthy of a final’ match where the teenage sensation outmatched the former world Number one to extend her streak to 16 wins after triumphs in 2022 and 2023.
“For sure this match was really intense. Much more intense for a second round than I ever expected,” Swiatek said.
“Naomi played amazing tennis with loose hands. Sometimes risking a lot but playing in. She played really great. I’m happy she’s back and playing well.”She added.
Swiatek’s clay prowess makes her a firm favourite against anyone but the top seed, who entered the contest on the back of 13 wins and titles in Madrid and Rome, faced huge pressure and was a point away from dropping the first set.
Osaka posed a litany of problems in one of her best matches since coming back this year from a maternity break, but did not capitalise while up 40-30 at 5-4, hitting a shot long.
Three-times champion Swiatek raised her level and ran away with the opening set in the tiebreak but the Pole found herself trailing 4-0 in the next set as Osaka shrugged off any disappointment to comfortably level the contest.
Osaka saved two break points to hold at the start of the decider and fired a sublime backhand crosscourt winner in the next game to pounce for a 2-0 lead, which the Japanese player extended on serve after another almighty battle.
A rattled Swiatek clawed her way back from 5-2 down and saved a match point before taking full advantage of late errors from a nervy Osaka’s racket to complete a famous victory and avoid her earliest exit from the Grand Slam.
Defeat was a bitter blow for Osaka, who produced one of her most memorable performances on her least favourite surface after fully dedicating herself to it in the build-up to the major and left the main showcourt to a standing ovation from the crowd.
“Maybe she’s going be a claycourt specialist in a while,” Swiatek said.
The 22-year – old Polish , however, had a message for the French Open fans, known to be a fickle crowd.
“Basically for you, because it’s entertainment and we make a lot of money thanks to you, sometimes when we are under a lot of pressure you scream during the rallies and it’s hard to stay focused,” Swiatek told the crowd.
“This is serious, we’re fighting to be better and better, there’s a lot of money to earn here. You can support us between the rallies but not during the rallies, please.
“I know the French crowd gets players they don’t like and they boo, but I know you love me so let’s keep that.” Swiatek said.
Meanwhile, other Wednesday matches saw Carlos Alcaraz, former runners-up Stefanos Tsitsipas and Coco Gauff going through to the third round.