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Iga Swiatek became the first Polish player to win a Grand Slam singles title when she beat fourth-seeded Sofia Kenin 6-4, 6-1 in the final of the French Open. The 19-year-old Swiatek, who did not drop a single set during the clay court tournament, is the youngest winner since Monica Seles lifted the Suzanne Lenglen Cup in 1992.
“I’m so happy. I’m so happy that my family was finally here. It was overwhelming for me,” said the world number 54, the lowest ranked player to win the women’s title at Roland Garros since the rankings were introduced. from the WTA in 1975. “Two years ago I won a junior grand slam and now I’m here. It feels like such a short time. I’m overwhelmed,” she added, as Kenin watched from her chair crying.
Swiatek raced to a 3-0 lead to lose just three points before Kenin got into her rhythm, only for the Pole to hit the opening set on her opponent’s serve after another exchange of breaks.
Kenin, who was aiming for a second major title after winning this year’s Australian Open, received off-court medical treatment on his left thigh after the third game of the second set.
It all turned out too much for the American, who won just three points after returning to the court when Swiatek took the title. She is the first player not to lose a set en route to the women’s title here since Beklium’s Justine Henin in 2007.
Swiatek’s path to the final started against last year’s finalist Marketa Vondrousova. In the fourth round, she took a step forward with a surprising 6-1, 6-2 victory over seeded Simona Halep. Swiatek backed up that performance by handling two straight ties with the loss of just seven games, demonstrating her ability to deal with the pressure of being the favorite, before dispatching Kenin.
Kevin Mitchell’s report to follow
