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Simona Halep stepped onto the Philippe Chatrier court at the start of day eight at Roland Garros as the logical favorite to advance to her second French Open title, with her career-best 17-game winning streak and playing outstanding tennis.
Just over an hour later she was out of the tournament in the fourth round, and notable Polish teenager Iga Swiatek was celebrating a 6-1, 6-2 win that not only dragged her to the quarterfinals of a slam. for the first time, but it lifted her to the top of the chasing group in pursuit of the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen.
It was an impressive performance. In a tournament that has already thrown a series of surprises in both singles tables, he was the most remarkable. Many observers predicted a high-level contest; But even Swiatek’s inner circle probably didn’t expect her to so completely dismantle the solid clay-court play of the top seed and world No. 2, champion here two years ago and at Wimbledon last summer.
Swiatek, the youngest player left in the women’s draw at 19, oozes composure and self-confidence beyond her years and is ranked 56th in the world. In a composed interview on the pitch, she said: “I thought I was playing perfectly. I was so focused throughout the game that I was even so surprised to be able to do that. “
Speaking of his 45-minute blowout against Halep on the same stage last year, he said: “I didn’t have any experience then. That was my first match in a big stadium, so I was pretty stressed. Since then I have come a long way, because I have played some big games against Naomi Osaka and now against Simona. It helped me a lot and right now I feel like I can handle the pressure.
But I also remember that I lost to Simona here. [6-1, 6-0] and she lost to Amanda [Asinimova] next round, so I thought maybe there would be the same scenario, except to change the names. “
And so it happened. Swiatek’s challenge now is to take care of his enthusiasm and bubbly form in Week 2, after giving up just 13 games in four matches, and keep his nerves when the big prize draws near. She then plays Italy’s Martina Trevisan, who defeated fifth-seeded Kiki Bertens, 6-4, 6-4. That good result was almost pedestrian in comparison.
Roland Garros, however, is both Swiatek’s and Halep’s comfort zone. “This is my favorite tournament,” said the winner. “When I was a junior, at 15, I was playing against older players and I made it to the quarterfinals, so this week is my dream come true, and I hope it lasts longer.”
Halep was taken aback when all of her previous good work in the tournament fell apart before her eyes. In fact, she didn’t see any of it, so hard that her young opponent hit the ball. Swiatek’s fastest setback was crossing the net at 76 miles per hour, as fast as the strongest player left in the men’s draw, Dominic Thiem. Her 79 mph right hand was just two miles per hour slower than that of the fastest male, Jannik Sinner. That’s the power of the Serena Williams level.
Swiatek won the belt from winner after winner in a lightning start. In just over half an hour, the Polish teenager was one set and two loves – an irresistible performance at any level, but impressive against a two-time clay-loving slam champion. Halep did not practice anything else for five months during the running of the bulls and skipped the US Open to prepare for Paris.
Swiatek’s father, Tomasz, an Olympic rower who had her practice her tennis shots while balancing in the water on a board, will have been thrilled with her timing and precision. It wasn’t until the third eight-minute game of the second set that Halep returned to the fight, saving four break points.
It only got tougher for Halep when Swiatek broke her on the sixth attempt 4-1. Time was running out for Halep faster than his opponent’s spring-loaded legs at the other end. The finish was ruthless and merciful as he served 15, the final dagger was a great serve on the T that Halep could only send dribbling towards the net.
