Swiatek SURVIVES
What have we just witnessed under the Chatrier roof?
We’ve all just seen defending champion Iga Swiatek produce a quite incredible comeback to beat a brilliant Naomi Osaka, but many still won’t believe their eyes after what just unfolded over the last three hours.
The top seed, world No.1 and three-time champion saved a match point and recovered from 5-2 down in the final set to somehow win 7-6(1), 1-6, 7-5 after 2 hours and 57 minutes of gripping, thrilling, high quality tennis.
It seemed it was all over as Osaka thumped her way into a commanding final set lead and a match point when she served for victory at 5-3.
But Swiatek dug in, kept believing and scrapped her way to an unlikely victory to make it 27 wins in her last 28 matches at Roland-Garros.
Even Swiatek will probably be wondering how she withstood Osaka’s barrage of winners that totalled 54 when the two shook hands.
A memorable match and, even despite the defeat, one that demonstrates Osaka is back in the bigtime.