cnn
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Iga Świątek won her third French Open in four years with a 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 victory against unseeded Karolína Muchová in the women's final on Saturday.
For much of the match, it looked like the world number one would dominate in the same way she had to win her other three Grand Slam titles. After all, Świątek had never lost a set in a Grand Slam final and began showing all the power and consistency that has made her a force on clay since winning her first French Open title as a 19-year-old in 2020. .
With a build-up and a 3-0 lead in the second set, Świątek was marching towards victory, but Muchová began to find her rhythm, launching shots that had previously deflected or collapsed into the net, and seemingly breaking the Pole at will .
After Świątek somehow lost the second set, the match lost any semblance of form in the third, as one break after another and both players battled for that decisive moment that could lead them to a title at Roland Garros.
And finally it was Świątek who confirmed her star credentials once again, holding serve under pressure and defending a break point to take a 5-4 lead in the final set before breaking Muchová's serve in the next game to win his second consecutive French Open title. collapsing to the ground in celebration.
“I was very surprised by the variety of the field and I hope that we will have many more finals,” Świątek told Muchová after an emotional trophy presentation.
“I wouldn't be here without my team,” he added. “I know we won this tournament, it's not easy to be on tour for a couple of weeks without breaks. Thanks to my family too, so many people who came from Poland, I really feel the love, so thank you… I really love it here, it's basically my favorite place on the tour.”
It was also an extraordinary tournament for Muchova, even before her participation in the extraordinary outcome, as she made her first appearance in a Grand Slam final, just a year after some doctors told her that her tennis career could have come to an end. end. to the severity of her injuries.
She had already shown her tenacity in this tournament, coming back from 2-5 down and facing a match point against World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka in the semi-final before winning five games in a row to surprise the Belarusian and reach her debut in the final of a major.
“Thank you so much. This is incredible,” she said through tears afterward as the crowd gave her a standing ovation. “This was so close, yet so far, that happens when you play against one of the best. I also want to thank everyone behind it.” “from the curtains, to the people who help us at the ticket offices, to the physiotherapists, to the ball boys. And the last one for my team… when I look at those people, I really feel like the winner, so thank you.”
At first, Świątek's power kept Muchová trapped behind the baseline as she gave in to several unforced errors under pressure.
But the Czech player fought her way into the match after a slow start, showing flashes of the athleticism and exemplary shot selection that has propelled her to the final; even forcing a break point, although Świątek finally held after a series of deuces to open a 4-1 lead.
By then the damage had been done and Świątek concluded the set shortly after.
Initially, it was a similar pattern in the second set with Świątek taking an early lead, Muchova closing in but failing to win the most decisive points until she finally broke Świątek's serve and backed him up with a hold.
Suddenly, it was 3-3, Muchová had won three games in a row, the momentum seemed to be shifting and the pressure eased when Muchová broke Świątek's serve at the next opportunity to take a 5-4 lead in the second set, creating a opportunity to take out. for a decision maker.
Although Świątek nullified that chance, Muchová engineered another and won her third set point to take the game to an improbable third set that swung one way and then the other before Świątek finished the match and won her fourth Grand title. Slam, becoming the only winner. She is the third player to win her first four major finals.
