Iga Świątek Faces Jelena Rybakina in Roland Garros Quarterfinal

PARIS, France — Iga Świątek will compete against Jelena Rybakina in the quarterfinals of the 2025 Roland Garros on Sunday, June 1, starting no earlier than 1 p.m. local time. This matchup marks a crucial point in the tournament for both players.

Świątek, the Polish tennis star, remains the only player with a French Open title in the ongoing tournament, aiming for her fifth consecutive championship. Just days before, she defeated Romania’s Jaqueline Cristian with a score of 6-2, 7-5, in the third round. After the match, she described the second set as unexpectedly challenging. “My opponent stepped up her game and began to take more risks, so I had to elevate my level as well,” Świątek noted.

Rybakina, representing Kazakhstan, advanced after eliminating Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko. Świątek expressed relief over Rybakina’s victory against Ostapenko, as she has not won against Ostapenko in their previous six encounters. At a press conference, while the match was ongoing, Świątek commented that she anticipates a tough match regardless of her opponent. When asked if she had a preference for whom she would face, she playfully replied, “I have none; am I good at lying?” The two players have an even head-to-head record of 4-4, but Świątek triumphed in their last two encounters earlier this year.

Rybakina has been facing challenges within the past year, largely attributed to issues with her coach, Stefano Vukov, who was suspended by the WTA. Their upcoming match will take place on the central court in Paris and follow a contest between Jasmine Paolini and Elina Svitolina, which starts at 11 a.m.

Świątek, ranked fifth in the WTA, looks to secure a fourth consecutive title at Roland Garros, a feat no player has achieved in over a century. Her previous titles came in 2020, 2022, 2023, and 2024, making her a formidable competitor despite not entering this year’s event as the world number one.

The match against Rybakina promises to be a thrilling contest as both players prepare to battle for a spot in the semifinals. The tournament runs until June 8, concluding with the women’s final.