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Iga Annhilates Paolini For Fourth French Open
2 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Articles, Scoop
Iga Swiatek looked better than ever today in totally annihilating Jasmine Paolini in the French Open final 61 62.
The 23 year old was unbeatable today, slashing and smashing destructive strikes all over the court like a tennis tornado. Paolini, in her first Grand Slam final, never had a chance.
Swiatek was fortunate to survive a second round near disaster vs Naomi Osaka which saw the Pole battle back from an 0-3 deficit and 3-5 down and match point. Iga lost 17 total games to Osaka and 20 to her other six opponents in Paris.
The emotions and adrenaline from that comeback triumph galvanized Swiatek to ascend to quite possibly the highest performance level of her career. “This tournament has been pretty surreal with the second round, and then I was able to get my game better and better every match,” the five time Grand Slam champ said. “I’m really proud of myself, because the expectations obviously have been pretty high from the outside. Pressure, as well. I’m happy that I just went for it and I was ready to deal with all of this.”
Swiatek revealed she is obsessed with trying to achieve tennis perfection. “When I do anything, I want to do it 100 per cent. I think when you’re a perfectionist, you are a perfectionist everywhere.”
Paolini, age 28, had never advanced past the second round at French Open until this tournament. The world no. 7 had high praise for Swiatek’s devastating performance. “I never played a player that has this intensity before in my life,” said the Italian who is also in the doubles final with Sara Errani. “So it was my first time facing a player that is taking time away as much as she does, but also hitting winners… I think it was the most challenging match I played in my entire career.”
“I think that my goal right now is to try to keep this level, to, let’s say, play against Iga one more time. I don’t know where. It can be second round, can be first round. I don’t care. I think playing against her can give me something to add things to my game. It’s challenging, but at the same time, I can understand more about what I have to improve.”
If the WTA world no. 1 Swiatek continues on her present course, there may be no limits and she could become a dominant force on any surface.
Wimbledon grass is next. “I feel like every year it’s easier for me to adapt to grass. So I think there is no need to do (a pre-season training block on grass). I just need to continue the work that I’ve been doing, and it’s been easier every year, especially with my coach who, with (Agnieszka) Radwanska, they had great results on grass. For sure it’s a huge challenge. If I would lose here earlier, maybe I would be able to play two more weeks on grass and then be a better grass player, but if I would choose, I love playing on clay, so I’m not going to give up that ever.”
Swiatek was eliminated in the quarterfinals at Wimbledon a year ago.
Iga Swiatek · on · Poland · Roland Garros · Technifibre
catherine · June 9, 2024 at 3:52 am
I’m interested in Iga’s attitude to W’don. A generation or so ago it was supreme but that doesn’t seem so any more. Far fewer grass events now of course.
Scoop Malinowski · June 9, 2024 at 7:52 am
Catherine, she is gunning for the Big W and believes she will eventually conquer it, boosted by the self belief that her results and performance there are improving each year.