Iga Swiatek arrived at the French Open as heavily favoured to win a women’s grand slam title as any player since the last peak of Serena Williams, and she knew it. Over the past two weeks, she navigated all of the pressure and emotions and in a spectacle reminiscent of the great champions before her, it only made her stronger.

Swiatek finished the job with a final supreme demonstration of her dominance, overwhelming and outplaying Coco Gauff 6-1, 6-3 to win her second grand slam title at the French Open, where she also won her first in 2020. This victory is the crown on top of her astounding run, which stands at 35 wins in a row and counting. She has won six consecutive titles.

During her post-match speech, Swiatek, who wears a Ukraine ribbon in her visor, encouraged Ukraine to stay strong: “Since my first speech in Doha [in February] I was hoping when I am doing the next one the situation will be better. But I still have hopes and try to support so thank you guys,” she said. Swiatek received a long ovation.

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Along with her winning streak, which equals Venus Williams’ 21st-century record, Swiatek is now 21-2 at the French Open, the third-best record in the women’s tournament, having won the event twice in her first four years as a senior. Such is her superiority over the rest of the field, Swiatek will nearly have double the ranking points as the new world No 2, Anett Kontaveit.

Swiatek said that what made her most proud was surpassing one of Serena Williams’ achievements –34 straight wins – with her streak: “It may seem pretty weird, but having that 35th win and doing something more than Serena did, it’s special.”

The intimidating aura Swiatek has generated over the past four months was reflected in the audience’s desperate cheers for Gauff. After an unforced error in the opening point, a spectator shouted out “Coco, it’s not finished” in French to general laughter. When she double-faulted on the second point, the crowd gave a long, pitying ovation as if Gauff was already two points from defeat.

It took Gauff 22 minutes to clinch her first game and when she relaxed, the issue of the unstoppable force across the net remained. Swiatek broke down Gauff’s second serve and she cruelly hunted Gauff’s forehand with her own heavy, wicked forehand, eliciting short balls that she swept up.

The second set began with a surprise, Swiatek haemorrhaging points and easily losing her serve, but her relentless pressure forced Gauff far out of her comfort zone and Swiatek took six of the final seven games to win.

As she reckoned with her latest, greatest achievement, Swiatek sank to her knees and then went to the stands, embracing her team and then Robert Lewandowski, who had come to Paris to see another Polish sporting great.

While Swiatek celebrated, Gauff retreated to her seat with tears in her eyes and there were more an hour later as she hailed Swiatek’s performance: “Iga was just too good,” she said. “It’s one of those matches that, yes, I, in some moments, could have played better. But she really didn’t give me anything. Every time I thought I hit a good ball, it wasn’t.”

Despite her tears, she again spoke with maturity and perspective about her fortnight, affirming that she will learn from the experience and continue to improve. “Tomorrow, or even tonight, we’re going to play cards again and we are going to laugh and we are going to be fine,” she said.

The predictability of Swiatek’s achievement does not detract from how incredible her rise has been. She is the best player in the world by a large distance and the swiftness with which she has risen to the top, overcoming each new obstacle, has been remarkable.

“In 2020, the main thing that I felt was confusion, because I have never really believed 100% that I can actually win a grand slam,” she said. “This time it was pure work.” She started the season ranked ninth, just one quality player among many and she has spent the months since distancing herself from the pack.

She maintained her level and focus even as the previous No 1, Ashleigh Barty, retired unexpectedly, inadvertently thrusting the ranking on her. When this streak weighed heavily on her in Paris, she managed the pressure and emotions as well as she possibly could and has found her best every time she needed it.

“It’s not easy to cope with all that different atmosphere and the pressure, because everybody is preparing for the grand slam always,” she said. “I felt the baggage. The hardest thing is not letting yourself think about that and overanalyse and not letting yourself think about all the numbers and the odds.”

At a time when the Tour has been searching for a young player who can carry the burden of being No 1, winning consistently and everywhere, Swiatek has arrived and may be entering a period of dominance at the French Open. The past few months have been a statement to the rest of the field: those who wish to contend must meet her at the top and anyone else will be left behind.

Source: The Guardian 

BDST: 1320 HRS, June 5, 2022
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