Defending champion Iga Swiatek pulled off a stunning comeback against Naomi Osaka in a French Open thriller on Wednesday, saving a match point to secure a 7-6 (7/1), 1-6, 7-5 victory. The world number one fought back from a 5-2 deficit in the deciding set to keep her bid for a third successive Roland Garros title alive.
Swiatek admitted that she didn’t believe she could win when she was match point down, stating, “I would have been pretty naive.” However, she managed to stay focused and turn the match around when it mattered most. The Polish star now holds an impressive 30-2 record in Paris.
The intense match saw Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, on the brink of a major upset before Swiatek’s remarkable comeback. Swiatek is now aiming to become only the fourth woman in the Open era to win four Roland Garros titles and the second to achieve the clay-court treble of Madrid, Rome, and French Opens in the same season, following in the footsteps of Serena Williams.
Despite the victory, Swiatek expressed frustration with the crowd’s behavior during the match, urging fans to refrain from shouting during points. She highlighted the importance of maintaining focus and concentration during high-stakes matches.
As Swiatek progresses to the next round, she will face either Jana Fett or Marie Bouzkova in the last 32. The Polish star’s impressive performance and fighting spirit have solidified her status as a top contender at this year’s French Open.