Iga Swiatek Stages Comeback to Secure French Open Quarterfinal Spot

PARIS, France — Iga Swiatek made a stunning comeback on Sunday, defeating Elena Rybakina in a thrilling three-set match at Roland Garros. Swiatek’s victory, ending 1-6, 6-3, 7-5, marked her 25th consecutive win at the French Open, setting the stage for her quarterfinal matchup against Elina Svitolina.

The start of the match was rocky for Swiatek, a four-time champion at Roland Garros. She quickly found herself down 6-1, 2-0 after committing 27 unforced errors in the first nine games. Despite this slow start, her determination shone through as she rallied to level the score, showcasing her resilience on the court.

“It means a lot,” Swiatek said after the match. “I needed that kind of win to feel these feelings that I’m able to win under pressure and to turn the match around.” Swiatek credited her ability to problem-solve during the tense moments of the match.

Swiatek, now seeded fifth, will face No. 13 seed Svitolina in the quarterfinals. The two players have faced each other four times in their careers, with Swiatek leading the head-to-head record 3-1. Notably, Svitolina eliminated Swiatek at the 2023 Wimbledon Championships but lost to her on their only previous encounter on clay in 2021.

Despite falling from No. 1 to No. 5 in the rankings over the past year, Swiatek remains a formidable competitor on clay. This year, she has not won a title since her last championship in Paris. However, her performance against Rybakina demonstrates that she can still handle high-pressure situations against elite players.

The third set saw more intense rallies, with both players exchanging breaks. Swiatek ultimately regained control, closing out the match with powerful forehands. “It’s a shot that I use to kind of lead in the points,” she noted, emphasizing her confidence in her forehand as a crucial tool in her game.

After a grueling 2 hours and 30 minutes on the court, Swiatek’s victory secured her place in the next round, where she will aim for a fourth consecutive title at the French Open.