French Open Day 4: Iga Swiatek digs deep to battle past Naomi Osaka in three-hour classic
A breathless, fiery encounter on a half-empty Chatrier unfurled with the more resolute cagoule-wearing Parisians itching for a glimpse.
Iga Swiatek produced an astonishing comeback to fend off a mighty Naomi Osaka, overcoming a match point to eventually win 7-6(1), 1-6, 7-5.
The reigning champion has been in supreme form this year. Her backhand line has been precise, her net-play neat and compact. There’s an exuberant but humble swagger every time the World No. 1 steps on court.
She’s beaten Aryna Sabalenka in the finals of both Madrid and Rome to mark herself out as the red-hot favourite for a third successive Roland Garros crown.
The former World No. 1 came in searching for her first top 10 win since 2020. It took an unconvincing three-set victory over the lesser-known Lucia Bronzetti to see Osaka set up this afternoon’s tie.
Their first meeting had an utterly different set-up. An 18-year-old Swiatek stepped onto the court in Toronto with Osaka’s imposing figure the other side of the net.
The two have more or less switched positions five years on, with Swiatek now at the height of her powers and Osaka looking to find her feet once again. The pair now sit alongside each other with four slams apiece.
There was much anticipation during the build-up to this afternoon’s match-up, although with the form of both in mind, nobody predicted the three-hour thriller that ensued, with Osaka millimetres away from a mesmerising upset.
“It’s much more intense for the second round than I ever expected,” said Swiatek.
“Naomi played amazing tennis, sometimes risking a lot. Maybe she’s gonna be a clay court specialist. I’m happy that she’s back and she’s playing well.”
Swiatek raced out the blocks, exposing Osaka’s slightly awkward footwork and in the early stages it looked like Swiatek might just run away with it. But Japan’s most decorated player of all time stepped up and began pulverising the ball.
While Swiatek stole the first-set having played an impeccable tie-break, it was Osaka who then re-steered the tie.
A jittery hour saw Osaka steal the second set and lead 5-2 in the decider, before the Pole raised her level and fought back.
Osaka served for the match at 5-3 but tightened up. The cogs that had been spinning so smoothly jarred and Swiatek pounced. Hooking a backhand return down the line to save match point, she retrieved the break and in methodical, brutal fashion, cleaned up the following four games.
The last few months have not seen Swiatek tested much physically. While today’s nail-biter highlighted the big game that both players can call on so reliably, Swiatek’s resolve and mental strength was what felt most remarkable.
Her 18 games on clay this season have seen her lose just once. It was clear that big-hitters are the only real players that can get close to Swiatek. Elena Rybakina rampaged through in Stuttgart, Linda Noskova’s powerful hitting undid the Pole in Melbourne – it was Osaka’s formidable ball-striking that came so close today.
“I cried when I got off the court,” she said. ‘But then, for me, I kind of realised I was watching Iga win this tournament last year, and I was pregnant.
“It was just my dream to be able to play her. When I kind of think of it like that, I think I’m doing pretty well. And I’m also just trying not to be too hard on myself. I feel like I played her on her better surface. I’m a hard-court kid, so I would love to play her on my surface and see what happens.”
Nobody expected Osaka to find such a high level. While her consistency is yet to be found, today felt like proof that she was back. Back to disrupt the top three who may have started to get a bit too comfortable. Either way, the tennis world will sit tight as Osaka begins her journey back to the top with glory at Flushing Meadows in her sights.
