Iga Swiatek’s reign as French Open champion has come to an end and one brutal statistic will hurt more than any other.
Aryna Sabalenka will play in her first Roland Garros final on Saturday after a 7-6(1), 4-6, 6-0 win against her biggest rival and this match confirmed Swiatek’s demise is now complete.
The Polish star has won the French Open title four times over the last five years and when she retained her crown in Paris last June, it seemed as if her dominance would continue for years to come.
Yet she has failed to win a tournament since that fifth Grand Slam title success and now her reign as the queen of Roland Garros has been ended by the player who has replaced her as the dominant force in women’s tennis.
The final set scoreline will have stung for Swiatek, as she was famous for winning 6-0 sets against her rivals when she was in her prime.
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Now she is the player accepting that punishment, with Sabalenka becoming the first woman to win a 6-0 set against Swiatek on Court Philippe Chatrier in what felt like a significant moment in the careers of two players heading in opposite directions.
“I’m thrilled. It was an incredible match,” said Sabalenka. “Tricky in the beginning. Super glad I found my serve.
“The third set, oh my god. To win a set against Iga 6-0 on the clay. It’s like something out of mind. I’m super happy right now, but the job isn’t done. I will make sure to bring my best tennis and best fighting spirit on Saturday.”
“Honestly it feels incredible, but I also understand the job is not done yet.
“I’m just thrilled with my performance today and with the win. The atmosphere in the stadium, thank you so much. It makes us feel amazing, so thank you.
“Iga [Swiatek] is the toughest opponent, especially on the clay and at Roland Garros. I’m proud that I was able to get this win. It was a tough match, it was tricky, but I managed it somehow and I’m super proud right now.
“I’m glad that I found my serve [in the third set]. It was a bit easier with the serve. What can I say, 6-0 – it couldn’t be much more perfect than that!”
Sabalenka will now look to confirm her status as the new queen of women’s tennis by winning her first Roland Garros title on Saturday, with the questions mounting for Swiatek after this latest defeat.
The Pole would have hoped that returning to the Roland Garros stage she has made her own would see the switch flick inside her and her best tennis to rise back to the surface.
Instead, she crumbled once again when Sabalenka applied the pressure in the third set, with this latest collapse adding to numerous shock setbacks over the last year.
Swiatek’s blip in form in now clearly a much more serious issue and we wait to see how this great champion responds to the biggest slide she has suffered in her career.
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