Swiatek Survives Match Point In 3-Hour Thriller Over Osaka At French Open; Gauff Wins, Garcia Out

The most anticipated match of the second round lived up to the hype and then some as Iga Swiatek outlasted Naomi Osaka 7-6(1), 1-6, 7-5 in nearly three hours under the Chatrier roof at the French Open on Wednesday.

“For sure this match was really intense,” Swiatek said on court after locking up her 16th consecutive Roland-Garros victory.

“Much more intense for the second round than I ever expected,” Swiatek said on court.

“Naomi played amazing tennis, with a really loose hand, maybe she’s gonna be a clay-court specialist in a while.”

Osaka had a point for 5-1 in the third and later held a match point on her serve at 5-3. Swiatek was able to storm back winning the last five games from 5-2 down.

In this battle 4-time Grand Slam champions, with the help of the closed Roof due to the rains, Osaka imposed her power early going up a break before Swiatek was able to level. The world No. 1 proved too tough in the breaker however in the second Osaka’s power — both with her serve and groundstrokes — were too much for Swiatek to handle. Swiatek’s second serve was also once again a detriment.

In stunning fashion, Swiatek failed on 11 game point chances to go down 3-0 in the third. Osaka was able to crack winners off both wings and bomb her serve, and trio of shots not found on many players at the top of the game.

Osaka served for the match at 5-3. She missed a sitter forehand at 30-15 but would eventually arrive at match point. However, Swiatek would ripped a backhand cross-court that Osaka couldn’t handle, sending the reply into the net.

“At 5-2, I honestly didn’t think I would win, it would be naïve,” Swiatek said. “I just tried to be better and to focus more. I was able actually to switch that.”

Swiatek has now 16 straight matches at the French Open and 14 overall. She’s now 27-0 when winning the first set at Roland Garros.

“I thought it was a really fun match,” Osaka said. “Probably the most fun match that I have played so far. It just felt really incredible, the atmosphere and how fun I guess everyone in the crowd was having, too. It was definitely very memorable for me.”

Osaka’s effort — winning 10 of 12 games at one point from the world No. 1 on Swiatek’s favorite court — certainly changes the picture at the top of the WTA.

“I cried when I got off the court, but then, for me, I kind of realize I was watching Iga win this tournament last year, and I was pregnant.

“It was just my dream to, like, be able to play her. When I kind of think of it like that, I think I’m doing pretty well. And I’m also just trying not to be too hard on myself. I feel like I played her on her better surface. I’m a hard-court kid, so I would love to play her on my surface and see what happens.

“I also said in Australia that I’m kind of setting myself up for September anyway.”

Earlier, former finalist Sofia Kenin put a quick end to French hopes squashing Caroline Garcia 6-3, 6-3.

On Lenglen, Coco Gauff overcame a slow start to put away former semifinalist Tamara Zidansek 6-3, 6-4. And Ons Jabeur advanced in three over 22-year-old Columbian Camila Osorio 6-3, 1-6, 6-3.

The rest of the 28 women’s matches were either suspended or cancelled due to the all-afternoon rains that hit the tournament for a fourth day.