World primary Hugo Swiontek received his fourth French Open title in 5 years with a victory in opposition to shock finalist Jasmine Paolini in Saturday’s girls’s closing.
The primary seed from Poland defeated Italian outsider Paolini 6-2 6-1 in a single hour and eight minutes.
“King of Clay” Rafael Nadal might have performed his final French Open of the 12 months, however Swientek proved as soon as once more that she can also be Roland Garros royalty.
She is the primary lady to win three consecutive titles at Roland Garros since Justine Henin in 2007, and solely the third lady to realize the feat in Open historical past, together with Monica Seles.
Swientek has not misplaced in Paris since 2021, 21 matches in the past, and has received 34 of 36 matches right here, a document matched solely by Seles and Chris Evert.
Evert and Martina Navratilova, with 9 Roland Garros titles, offered the plaque to runner-up Paolini and the winners’ trophy to Sveontek.
“It is wonderful to be right here. I like this place. I stay up for coming again right here yearly,” Sveontek stated.
“I nearly bought knocked out of the match within the second spherical – it was a very emotional match.”
Ever since she survived a match level within the second spherical in opposition to Naomi Osaka in what was arguably the match of the match, Swiontek’s path to the ultimate has been extra like a procession.
She received 20 video games in a row in three matches in opposition to Maria Buzkova (6-4 6-2), Anastasia Potapova (6-0 6-0) and Marketa Vandrusova (6-0 6-2) earlier than beating Coco Gauff 6-2 6-4 within the semi-finals.
Such has been her dominance that there have even been fears that Swientek may threaten the document for the quickest match of 32 minutes, when Steffi Graf defeated Natasha Zverova by the identical time within the 1988 closing.
Confronted with the robust process of dethroning Sviatek at her favourite searching floor, Paolini, a diminutive Italian with Polish roots, is within the midst of her most spectacular season and eyeing her first Grand Slam trophy.
The tenacious 28-year-old had by no means made it previous the second spherical of a Grand Slam earlier than this 12 months.
She survived a break level to carry it in her first serve after which broke No. 1 within the subsequent.
She was cheered on by a wholesome Italian contingent, together with one boisterous nook who shaped a tricolor mosaic with their inexperienced, white and crimson shirts.
However the bear was poked and Paolini received simply 4 factors within the subsequent 5 video games as Sveontek took the primary set.
She reeled off 10 straight wins earlier than Paolini discovered herself on the board once more, however moments later, Swientek clinched her fifth Slam title and dropped to her knees in celebration.
The Madrid and Rome champion additionally prolonged her successful streak on clay to twenty matches, with followers and pundits suggesting she is effectively on her solution to excelling on clay in the identical group because the 14-time French Open champion Nadal.
At the least Paolini has one other shot on the title at Roland Garros as she returns to motion on Sunday within the doubles closing alongside Italian associate Sara Errani.
“It has been a busy 15 days, however one of the best days of my life. I am actually pleased with myself,” she stated.
Swientek vs. Paolini: The story of the tape
Wilander: Hugo can win 5, six, seven titles
Mats Wilander on Eurosport:
“4 titles, she’s 23. I feel she will be able to win one other 5, six, seven as a result of for me her type could be very fashionable and she or he performs with quite a lot of spin so it isn’t going wherever, so if the opposite girls do not study to do it in order that she’s going to win Roland Garros for a lot of, many, a few years to return.
“However it’s exhausting to play like Hugo as a result of it’s important to be so robust and have that racket pace with all that forehand spin, that is why she’s unbeatable right here for me.”
What’s subsequent for Sky Sports activities Tennis?
Use Chrome for a extra accessible video participant
Discover out about all of the methods to observe tennis on Sky Sports activities, together with the US Open, ATP and WTA excursions
Forward of the third Grand Slam in 2024 – Wimbledon – you possibly can watch all of tennis’ largest stars in motion stay on Sky Sports activities as they compete all through the season on grass courts.
- Stuttgart Open (ATP 250 with Andy Murray in motion) – June 10-16
- Rosmalen Open (ATP/WTA 250) – June 10-16
Watch the WTA and ATP excursions all through 2024 on Sky Sports activities Tennis. Watch Sky Sports activities tennis and extra with NOW Sports activities Month membership. No contract, cancel anytime.