World No 1 Iga Swiatek claimed a fourth French Open title in 5 years with victory in opposition to shock finalist Jasmine Paolini in Saturday’s girls’s last.
The highest seed from Poland brushed apart Italian underdog Paolini 6-2 6-1 in and hour and eight minutes.
‘King of Clay’ Rafael Nadal might have performed his final French Open this yr however Swiatek comprehensively proved as soon as once more she can also be Roland Garros royalty.
She is the primary girl to win three consecutive Roland Garros titles since Justine Henin in 2007 and solely the third to attain the feat in Open historical past, together with Monica Seles.
Swiatek is undefeated in Paris since 2021, 21 matches in the past, and has gained 34 of her 36 matches right here, a file matched solely by Seles and Chris Evert.
Since surviving a match level within the second spherical in opposition to Naomi Osaka, in arguably the match of the match, Swiatek’s path to the ultimate has been extra like a procession.
She gained 20 video games in a row over three matches in opposition to Marie Bouzkova (6-4 6-2), Anastasia Potapova (6-0 6-0) and Marketa Vondrousova (6-0 6-2), earlier than rolling over Coco Gauff 6-2 6-4 within the semi-final.
Such is her dominance there have been even fears that Swiatek might threaten the file for the quickest match of 32 minutes when Steffi Graf pulverised Natasha Zvereva by the identical rating within the 1988 last.
Dealing with the tall process of toppling Swiatek at her favorite looking floor was Paolini, the diminutive Italian with Polish roots, who’s within the midst of her most spectacular season and was eyeing a maiden Grand Slam trophy.
The tenacious 28-year-old had by no means been previous the second spherical at a Grand Slam till this yr.
She survived a break level to carry in her first service sport after which broke the No 1 within the subsequent.
She was cheered on by a wholesome Italian contingent together with one noisy nook who fashioned a tricolour mosaic with their inexperienced, white and crimson t-shirts.
However the bear had been poked and Paolini solely gained 4 extra factors within the subsequent 5 video games as Swiatek raced to the opening set.
She had gained 10 in a row earlier than Paolini bought on the board once more, however Swiatek wrapped up her fifth Slam title moments later and sunk to her knees in celebration.
The Madrid and Rome champion additionally prolonged her successful streak on clay to twenty matches, with followers and analysts suggesting she is effectively on the way in which to changing into a clay-court nice in the identical bracket as 14-time French Open champion Nadal.
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