Tearful Iga Swiatek survives meltdown to win French Open title against Karolina Muchova
Tearful Iga Swiatek survived a mid-match meltdown to fight off Karolina Muchova and retain her French Open title. The world No.1 led by a set and 3-0 and seemed to be coasting to her fourth Grand Slam title against the world No.43
But as the Czech star found her game in her first Major final, the Pole melted in the Paris heat. She lost five out of six games before losing the second set – the first set she has ever dropped in a Grand Slam final – and then the first eight points of the decider.
Just like Carlos Alcaraz who suffered nervous cramping on the same Philippe-Chatrier Court in the men’s semi-finals, the women’s world No.1 seemed paralysed by nerves.
But from 0-2 down, Swiatek refound her composure and her game to win 6-2 5-7 6-4 after two hours and 46 minutes – before breaking down in tears on court. It was an emotional rollercoaster of final featuring 12 breaks of serves and gripping tension.
She joins legends like Serena Williams, Monica Seles, Margaret Court and Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario in winning the French Open three times. And since replacing Ash Barty as world No.1 in April last year, her record in Grand SLams is now 26-2.
