Iga Swiatek Should Win Final but Beware that Paolini Forehand!
Roland Garros
June 6, 2024
Iga Swiatek produced a typically ruthless performance and remained calmer than Coco Gauff in a dramatic semi-final at Roland Garros.
Then a beaming Italian called Jasmine Paolini crushed young Russian Mirra Andreeva to reach her first Grand Slam final.
Poor Andreeva was in tears every time she was broken in the second set of a 6-3, 6-1 victory for the carefree twelfth seed.
Who will win the final? Everything points to an Iga Swiatek triumph on Saturday. She hasn’t just won Roland Garros three times already this decade. She has never lost a Grand Slam final after reaching four.
Iga Swiatek won’t feel so confident on grass at Wimbledon 2024, though. That makes the English tournament even more intriguing than the rest.
Some would say that Swiatek against Coco Gauff was the true showpiece in Paris. Iga’s self-belief was superior against a fellow giant of the game. The Pole certainly won the meaningful psychological battles.
One of the key moments came when Gauff was robbed of a point and argued strenuously with the umpire that a rogue “out” call on Iga’s serve had impacted her own return.
Coco was in tears when the decision didn’t go her way. But she composed herself enough to break in that very same second-set game to lead 3-1.
The problem for the popular American was that she had expended too much emotional energy to overcome that moment in the long run.
‘I don’t usually get so frustrated,’ she admitted somewhat regretfully afterwards. And she couldn’t consolidate that mini-victory.
Ice-cool Iga struck straight away to break back – and commanded the court until she had won through to the final 6-2, 6-4.
‘I was consistent with my tactics and I was just better at the end,’ Swiatek said in her somewhat mechanical tone, as she looked back objectively at the match.
In the final analysis, Coco made too many unforced errors – and her poor record against Swiatek seemed to dent her confidence and leave her tight.
‘I wasn’t hit off the court, I just made too many errors,’ confirmed Coco later. That will give the American hope if these two clash at Wimbledon though!
Iga Swiatek versus Coco Gauff will be a much less predictable match-up if they face off at Wimbledon 2024. Centre Court would just love the gladiatorial drama of that potential showdown!
Meanwhile in the other semi-final, Jasmine Paolini was just thrilled to take revenge over Andreeva after a recent defeat against the teenager.
Paolini said: ‘I’m happy for sure. Thank you very much. Merci beaucoup. It was a tough match. She is playing unbelievable and she is only seventeen.
‘I lost to her a month ago, so I said “come on you have to do better.” I was nervous at the beginning. But then ball by ball I relaxed – and I’m really happy to win in the end.
‘It was painful in Madrid. I was up 5-2 in Madrid and then I lost. My philosophy now is hit the ball and enjoy. It works, so I’m really happy. I learnt later than other players that to dream is the most important thing.’
If Paolini dreams in nerveless style and uses her clubbing forehand from the start, who knows whether she can pull off one of the great shocks? She has nothing to lose in Paris. Then London quickly becomes the focus.
Everyone is dreaming of winning Wimbledon 2024 too – and that’s the most prestigious tournament of them all.
Will you be there to watch the drama unfold? We can get you some of the best seats in the house. Then sit back and let your own dreams come true.
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