Swiatek Holds Off Upset-Minded Muchova In French Open Final For 4th Grand Slam Title

Iga Swiatek was in complete control leading the surprising unseeded Karolina Muchova 6-2, 3-0 in the French Open final. But Muchova wouldn’t go away. The Czech took her all-court game to another level and stunned the tennis world winning nine of the next 11 games to go up 2-0 in the third. But the rally fell short as Swiatek took the title in a dramatic 6-2, 5-7, 6-4.

“Sorry for being such a pain in the … ” Swiatek told her box on court. “I’ll try to do better. I’m really happy that we can feel satisfied now and celebrate.

“I love being here. Basically, it’s my favorite place on tour.”

Swiatek wins her third French Open and in doing so becomes the first woman to repeat since Justine Henin finished her 3-peat in 2007.

“Last year for sure it was a confirmation for me that the first time wasn’t a coincidence or something like that,” Swiatek added. “This one, for sure, it was a little bit tougher in terms of injuries and the pressure, and also coming back to this tournament as a defending champion, I right now feel like it’s a little bit different.

Early on, Muchova looked like someone playing her first Slam final and first final anywhere in well over three years. Swiatek stormed out to a 3-0 lead before Muchova worked her way back in, using some strong net play to make a match of it.

But then the Swiatek flood began, and in a blink the world No. 1 had a set and 3-0 lead in the second. It was the usual Swiatek script: close early, then pull away.

Only this time, Muchova got up off the mat putting together one of the most stunning rallies in recent Roland Garros finals.

Swiatek was jawing with her box looking for answers as Muchova, playing just her second career clay final, hit her top level.

Swiatek was plagued by double faults and misses, but Muchova’s pressure was an ingredient.

Up 2-0 in the third, though, Muchova couldn’t keep it going. Swiatek went on another run going up 3-2. From there, it was the nerves and the moment and both settled down. Muchova would level and then break. Serving 4-3, deuce, she gave it back.

Swiatek fell into peril against serving 4-all, 0-30. But Muchova would get any close. Swiatek locked in taking nine of the last 11 points, winning on a Muchova double fault after 2 hours, 46 minutes.

“Honestly, this match was like so long, with so many ups and downs,” Swiatek said. “I kind of stopped thinking about the score. I wanted to use my intuition more, because I knew that I can play a little bit better if I’m going to get a little bit more loosened up.

“It helped, for sure, in the third set – I just kind of felt like I need to be more courageous and make some good decisions.”

Muchova came with five points on completing one of the most remarkable runs to a French Open title.

“I gave my everything on the court today, so I have nothing to regret,” said Muchova.

“The feeling is a little bitter, because I felt it was very close. But overall, to call myself a Grand Slam finalist, it’s an amazing achievement, and for sure big motivation.

“Iga is world No.1 and I was so close. I think now that I can do it. It’s a lot of work and effort to do, but I’m willing to take that. I’ll try my best in other two Slams this year and next year, and I hope I will again get a chance to play for the title again.”

Swiatek becomes just the fourth player after Roger Federer, Monica Seles and Naomi Osaka to win their first four Grand Slam finals. She’s also won three of the last five Slams as she takes her No. 1 ranking into the grass season.

“I will work day by day to play best game possible and to develop as a player,” Swiatek said. “I’m not setting like any crazy records or goals for myself. I know that keeping it cool is the best way to do it for me. I’m trying more to do that.”

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