Paris – With her 34th success in a row, Polish world number one Iga Swiatek has stormed into the final of the French Open in Paris.
The 21-year-old beat Darja Kassatkina of Russia 6-2, 6-1 and will now face American Coco Gauff in the final. The 18-year-old beat Italy’s Martina Trevisan 6-3, 6-1 in her semi-final to become the youngest French Open finalist since Belgium’s Kim Clijsters 21 years ago.
Both with even duels
Swiatek, who celebrated her only Grand Slam title to date at the Stade Roland Garros in 2020, equalled Serena Williams’ 2000 super streak with her win over Kassatkina. She needed just 64 minutes for her success in the one-sided match on Court Philippe Chatrier. “It’s a very special moment for me. I’m very emotional right now,” Swiatek said after the match.
The Pole only had a few problems with Kassatkina at the beginning. After an early break for 2:0, the Pole herself had to surrender her service. Kassatkina equalised at 2:2, but then Swiatek raised her level to another level and took six games in a row. She took the first set after 38 minutes. The tennis world number one dominated at will in the second section as well and took the first match point with an ace.
In the second semi-final, Gauff and Trevisan played an evenly matched duel in the first set. Both players had great problems to get their serve through. Towards the end of the first set, Gauff, who had won the junior women’s competition at the Stade Roland Garros in 2018, became stronger and took the first set.
After that, Trevisan had to be treated for a few minutes. The Italian had won the tournament in Rabat in the run-up to the French Open and had therefore played a lot recently. Trevisan started the second set with a thick thigh bandage. Although the Italian tried everything again here, Gauff was too strong on this sunny day in Paris and took her first match point after 1:28 hours.
“I’m a bit shocked right now. I don’t have words to describe it,” Gauff said after her victory. She wants to go into Saturday’s final with the same composure she has shown in all her matches at the Bois de Boulogne so far. “There are so many things happening in the world right now, especially in the USA. This is just a tennis match,” said Gauff.