Iga Swiatek claimed a historic maiden French Open title with a scintillating victory over Sofia Kenin in Saturday’s final at Roland Garros.
The unseeded 19-year-old continued her remarkable record of winning each and every set throughout the tournament, brushing aside the fourth seed Kenin 6-4, 6-1 in under 90 minutes.
In defeating qualifier Nadia Podoroska in the semi-final, Swiatek became the first Pole to reach a Grand Slam final in 81 years, and in claiming another straight-sets win, Switaek becomes the first woman to win the French Open without dropping a set since Justine Henin in 2007.
Swiatek also demolished No1 seed Simona Halep in the fourth round on the way to victory, which must now go down as one of the most dominant Slam title wins of all time.
The Pole also now moves to a career-high 17th in the world, a steep rise from the 54th position she entered the tournament in. As for Kenin, she moves up to fourth in the world despite the defeat.
The big question coming into the match was who would handle the occasion the best. Kenin has reigned supreme in tournament finals, winning five of six, including at the Australian Open. Swiatek, on the other hand, has lost one of one WTA finals, with Kenin just her fourth-ever top-10 opponent.
Swiatek has displayed a remarkable lack of nerves throughout the tournament, and she once again started with a flash, comfortably holding to love in her opening service game before immediately breaking Kenin in the next.
The Pole’s lead was quickly diminished, however, as Kenin won three games on the bounce to level following an early 3-0 deficit, breaking the serve of Swiatek, who showed her human side with an untimely first double fault at break point.
The momentum continued to oscillate throughout a highly entertaining opener, with Swiatek earning the opportunity to serve for the set after breaking in the eighth game. The Pole missed a crucial set point, with Kenin eventually sealing the immediate break back.
Swiatek was not made to rue missed opportunities, however, as she brought up two further set points in the following game, converting the break at the first opportunity to take the lead after 48 minutes on court.
Kenin’s most impressive strength throughout the tournament has undoubtedly been her resilience. She’s lost the first set and come from behind on two occasions on the run to the final, and broke Swiatek at the first opportunity to make the perfect start to the second set.
That’s where the joy ended for the American, however. Swiatek instantly broke back, before holding to claim a 2-1 advantage. Kenin, who’s left thigh was heavily strapped, needed to leave the court for medical assistance.
And in returning to the court with significantly increased strapping, Swiatek’s dominance continued. She claimed another two successive breaks of serve, which handed the Pole the opportunity to serve for the match.
Swiatek showed no nerves as she dispatched another game to claim her maiden Slam, quickly running to the stands to celebrate with her coach and family.
