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 [June 07, 2024]
By Shrivathsa Sridhar
PARIS (Reuters) -Iga Swiatek moved closer to a third successive
French Open title by cruising past American third seed Coco Gauff on
Thursday and she will play Jasmine Paolini in the final after the
Italian downed Mirra Andreeva.
Four-times Grand Slam champion Swiatek's 6-2 6-4 semi-final win was
her 11th victory in 12 meetings with Gauff, but the 23-year-old Pole
had to endure tough moments in the second set before matching her
longest winning streak on clay.
"I was pretty intense and putting pressure on Coco," Swiatek told
reporters. "Most of the things overall in my game worked today, so
I'm proud of myself."
Paolini joined her in the final by defeating Russian 17-year-old
Mirra Andreeva 6-3 6-1 to continue Italy's golden Roland Garros,
with Jannik Sinner also through to the men's semi-finals.
Gauff will rise to number two in the rankings behind Swiatek but the
loss to the Pole, who also beat her in the 2022 final and last
year's quarters, was a bitter pill to swallow for the 20-year-old.
"I think she's progressing a lot," Swiatek said of the U.S. Open
champion.
"Last year's U.S. Open showed she's tough. At this age, it's obvious
she's going to just grow. It's nice to see her handling everything
well around her, because it's not easy.
"I'm sure we'll have plenty more intense matches at the highest
level."
EARLY BREAK
Swiatek broke in the opening game after a forehand error by the
ultra aggressive Gauff and she fought off break points in her next
two service games before tightening her grip.
Having dropped the first set, Gauff wiped away tears while leading
2-1 in the second after an argument with the umpire over a line
decision, but the American recovered to break her opponent for the
first time.
"I think it was just overwhelming," Gauff said.
"I'm losing the match. When you're playing against her... every
point matters against anybody, but especially against her. I think
it was just one of those moments, but I overcame it."
Swiatek struck back immediately before breaking to surge to a 4-3
lead with a powerful winner as a 20th straight victory at Roland
Garros came into view for the 23-year-old.
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Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - June 6, 2024
Poland's Iga Swiatek celebrates winning her semi final match against
Coco Gauff of the U.S. REUTERS/Lisi Niesner
Soaking up the applause on a sun-drenched Court
Philippe-Chatrier, Swiatek secured victory on serve and matched her
18-match winning streak on the sport's slowest surface in 2022.
Swiatek, who saved a match point to beat former world number one
Naomi Osaka in the second round, has lost only 14 games since and
will be the favorite to triumph.
Paolini's belief has grown at Roland Garros and the 28-year-old
became the first Italian to reach the final on Parisian clay since
doubles partner Sara Errani in 2012.
She used her booming forehand to devastating effect and faces the
ultimate challenge in Swiatek for a shot at her maiden Grand Slam
title.
"Iga is an unbelievable player. So young, but so many achievements
and Grand Slams," Paolini said.
"I have huge respect for her, but my goal is to step on court on
Saturday and try to enjoy the match and that moment."
Andreeva, who beat Paolini in their last meeting in Madrid, failed
to make the most of the few opportunities she had and was plagued by
errors in her first Grand Slam semi-final.
"I was struggling throughout the match, but it is what it is. It's
just what happened today. I can take a lot of positive from these
two weeks." Andreeva said.
"I think for the next few days I'll be a bit disappointed, but I'll
be watching the final."
(Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Paris; Editing by Christian
Radnedge and Ed Osmond)
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