Queen of Clay, Iga Swiatek, smashed former Wimbledon Champion Elena Rybakina by 1-6,6-3, 7-5 to book a spot in the quarterfinals of the French Open.
As the match started, it looked like Rybakina had this game in the bag as she delivered an outstanding performance, leading by 5-0 as she held two set points.
The 25-year-old continued thrashing Swiatek early in the second set as she was up by 2-0, winning the first eight points, but things took a U-turn as Swiatek fought hard.
Rybakina lost her mojo when she failed to convert three break points in the fifth game, making way for the 24-year-old Polish tennis star in the deciding set as she secured the crucial one to go up 6-5 that sealed the win.
Speaking to the media after the match, Swiatek mentioned how she was under a lot of pressure entering this tournament, ranked world no 5, which is her lowest ranking in three years, while also struggling with her form as she has only won one of her nine opening matches.
“It means a lot. I think I needed that kind of win to feel these feelings that I’m able to win under pressure, and even if it’s not going the right way, still turn the match around to win it”.
“For sure it’s a great confirmation for me. I for sure wanted to have a match like that. Obviously, it’s great to also have full control over the match, but against great players, it’s not always going to be possible. I’m happy that I fought, and I also problem-solved on court”.
Swiatek first played in the French Open in 2019 in the main draw and reached the fourth round. She has won four French Open titles: 2020, 2022, 2023, and last year, 2024, against Jasmine Paolini in the women’s final, where she thrashed Paolini by 6-2, 6-1in an hour and eight minutes.
Iga Swiatek’s next opponent is 13th seed Elina Svitolina, and both tennis stars have played against each other four times. With the Ukrainian winning one match out of the four, and the last time they placed against each other was in the Miami Open 2025, where Swiatek won by 7-6(5) ,6-3.
