by Iga Swiatek successfully defended her title, after being pushed all the way by Karolina Muchova 6-2, 5-7, 6-4. The world number one proved her credentials at the top as she narrowly secured the victory despite nerve-wracking moments due to Muchova’s all-court game.
The Swinging Pendulum
Things looked to be very straightforward for Iga Swiatek as she opened the match and errors off Karolina Muchova’s backhand compounded to hand a 3-0 lead to the world number one. However, the Czech was not about to yield her chance at her first major trophy so easily. She delivered an ace and forced a hold to get on the scoreboard and then eyed a break point in Iga Swiatek’s next service game, but the Pole stuck the hold after the third deuce. She then made sure to secure the set with steady holds and a break to 6-2.
The world number one was throttling at full speed to another dominant set at 3-0, however Muchova once again found a way to get on the board. This time she forced a break on Iga’s serve at the first time of asking with a forehand down the line. Chaos ensued as the Czech appeared to have truly riled up the Pole who started to shoot words at her box in frustration. Swiatek uncharacteristically handed back the break to Muchova with a double fault, pushing her into the lead for the first time at 4-5. However, the pressure to close out the set got to the Czech who handed back the break to get to 5-5 and extend the set.
The Czech broke the world number one as the combination of variety from Muchova and forced mishits from Swiatek, enabled Muchova to nudge in front at 5-6. The level of tennis kept elevating into the final game of the set, which was forced into a deuce. The Czech could not complete the first two set points as Swiatek kept up a fierce defence. However, the Czech nudged into the advantage following an all-court point that had both players sliding and volleying incredible shots until Muchova hit the winning volley on the slide before ending up on the deck. The Pole then relinquished with an overhit return to complete Muchova’s comeback and send the game to a deciding set.
The Deciding Set
As the number one appeared to be spiralling out of control, Karolina Muchova pounced on the chance and broke Swiatek’s serve immediately before sustaining it with a break. However, the world number one proved her credentials by reining in her emotions and getting on the scoreboard before breaking back to level the score 2-2.
The Czech kept up the trickery and forced another momentum shift, breaking Swiatek’s serve to 3-4 and nudging in front yet again. As the Pole attempted to break back, Muchova used her first serve well to cancel out a break point with an ace and send the game to deuce. However, the world number one got the advantage with a rare volley at the net before Muchova handed the break with a short dropshot that fell on the wrong side of the net for her.
At this point the time spent on court throughout the tournament appeared to have fazed Muchova who started to appear more and more winded. Though she kept up the pressure to earn a break point, the Pole pushed through by forcing mistakes from the Czech. At 5-4 and with the pressure all on the first-time finalist, Muchova’s engine finally stalled, yielding to defeat with a double fault.
All-Court Tennis At its Best
Despite having to settle as runner-up, there is no doubt that those who had not yet been alert to Karolina Muchova’s quality of tennis have now been awakened. The Czech has had rotten luck with injuries, notably even having had to retire during last year’s tournament. Having fallen through the world rankings, she came into the tournament unseeded but hit the ground running by eliminating Maria Sakkari (world number eight) before pushing through the rounds and then dealing a blow to world number two Aryna Sabalenka to get to the final.
Despite starting her first-ever grand slam final shakily, the Czech recovered composure and put on a show of dropshots, slices and lobs which had viewers drooling. Forcing a deciding set against Iga Swiatek, who came into the match having not dropped a single set, speaks for itself. However, even more importantly, having seen the years of hard hitters dominating women’s tennis, it is the way that Muchova did it that will imprint minds. She has reminded everyone just how much we all miss the all-court game style she brings and how much tennis is better for having her in it.
Toughest Test Proves Swiatek’s Credentials As Number One
Though much has been made of Iga Swiatek’s dominance on court and her consistent ‘bagelling’ of opponents, this win perhaps proved the true winning mentality of the Pole. Having appeared to have completely lost the plot by the end of the second set and started the decider set in the worst possible way, she persevered through and got the job done despite relentless pressure from Muchova.
The release was evident as Swiatek broke down into tears on the court as she eyed her box after winning the title. Having completed her title defence and landed the Roland Garros for the third time in her early career, the twenty-two-year-old was likely pushed the hardest she has been by the Czech who tested her all-court game and refused to let her dictate from the baseline.
Though Swiatek came into the tournament as favourite, she faced the pressure of Aryna Sabalenka closing in on the number one spot who was upset by the same Muchova in the semi-final with an emphatic comeback. Putting all of this into perspective against the final on display today, the Pole’s win is another testament to her growth since earning number one in the world and perhaps proves just why she is perched there.
Photo: Jimmy 48 Photograph
