PARIS: Iga Swiatek produced a ruthless display on Saturday to upset 12th seed Paoli and claim his third French Open crown and fifth career Grand Slam.
Swiatek’s 6-2 6-1 win was the top seed’s 21st in a row and fourth at the Open at Roland Garros behind Chris Evert (29), Monica Seles (25) and Justine. Henin (24).
She also became the third woman to win three consecutive French Open titles, after Henin (2005-07) and Seles (1990-92).
The 23-year-old Pole extended his clay-court winning streak to a career-best 19 matches and won his fourth French Open title in five years.
“It means a lot,” Swiatek told reporters, clutching Suzanne Lenglen’s shiny trophy.
The pressure is too much. I’m glad I went for it and I’m ready to overcome it all. I can beat it.”
Swiatek, who is 5-0 in major finals to win the US Open in 2022, is the first woman to win three consecutive Grand Slam titles since American Serena Williams at Flushing Meadows from 2012-14.
But she said her desire to grow up has caught up with her this year.
“Once the outside pressure hit me, it got worse,” Swiatek said.
Swiatek came out all guns blazing, but after narrowly missing the chance to go down from 0-40 down in the second game, the top seed made it tough to give up his serve before the pole vault started clawing back.
Paolini, the third Italian woman after Francesca Schiavone and Sara Errand to reach the Roland Garros final since the sport turned professional in 1968, held on with Swiatek before breaking in the sixth game.
With a change of pace, Swiatek began to dominate several key points, working the corners well and closing out the opening set in the 37th minute after scoring 20 of her 24 points since the break.
A Paolini shell-shocked and held for a surprise break at the start of the next set, but the afternoon sunk after Swiatek broke twice to take a 4-0 lead.
Swiatek, who dropped just one set throughout the tournament in her second-round match against Naomi Osaka, won 10 games before Paolini finally got on the board, but she didn’t make a late comeback.
Swiatek dropped to his knees and clapped his hands as Paolini hit a long shot to seal the win in the 68th minute.
“Playing here is the most difficult challenge in this sport,” Paolini, who will face Errani in Sunday’s doubles final, told Swiatek during the presentation.
The 28-year-old, who will be ranked seventh in the world on Monday, adds to the challenge of playing Swiatek.
“He’s won four horses and he’s only 23. Those numbers are incredible. It’s unbelievable.”
