Iga Swiatek staged a remarkable comeback to secure her place in the French Open quarter-finals, overcoming a daunting start to defeat Elena Rybakina 1-6, 6-3, 7-5. The defending champion appeared out of sorts early on, as Rybakina dominated the first set and raced to a 2-0 lead in the second, leaving Swiatek visibly frustrated and on the brink of defeat.
For much of this year, Swiatek has struggled when under intense pressure from her toughest opponents. However, her performance in this match highlighted her resilience and ability to adapt, as she turned the tide against the 12th seed and 2022 Wimbledon champion. This victory marked Swiatek’s return to the quarter-finals at Roland Garros and extended her winning streak at the tournament to 25 consecutive matches—the longest by any female player at the French Open in the 21st century.
Reflecting on her win, Swiatek said it was a crucial confidence boost, reaffirming her capacity to win even when things don’t initially go her way. She acknowledged the value of problem-solving on court and the importance of fighting through difficult moments, especially against high-caliber opponents. This victory could be a turning point as she aims to become the first woman to win four consecutive French Open singles titles.
Although she avoided facing Jelena Ostapenko, who has dominated their previous encounters, Swiatek still confronted a formidable adversary in Rybakina. The Kazakhstani’s powerful serve and groundstrokes posed a significant challenge, and she played near-flawless attacking tennis early in the match, forcing Swiatek onto the defensive. Swiatek compared Rybakina’s dominant first set to facing top male players like Jannik Sinner, illustrating the intensity of the competition.
Despite a rocky start and a history of faltering against top-ranked players this year, Swiatek maintained her composure and tactical awareness. She adjusted her strategy by utilizing her heavy topspin forehand to push Rybakina back and by stepping further behind the baseline to return serves, allowing herself more time to react to Rybakina’s powerful deliveries. Gradually, Swiatek gained momentum, breaking back to level the match and force a deciding third set.
The final set was tense and closely contested, with several critical moments. Swiatek saved three break points at 2-3, then broke serve to take a 4-3 lead but made a costly double fault shortly after. Despite this setback, she kept her focus and played aggressively when it mattered most, refusing to let the pressure overwhelm her. Her relentless pursuit of solutions on the court ultimately secured the victory in what was arguably the most significant match of the tournament so far.
Swiatek will next face 13th seed Elina Svitolina, who herself staged an incredible comeback to reach the quarter-finals by overcoming three match points against Jasmine Paolini, the fourth seed and last year’s runner-up. The women’s draw is shaping up to be highly competitive, with top seed Aryna Sabalenka set to play Zheng Qinwen after dispatching Amanda Anisimova in straight sets.
In the men’s draw, Carlos Alcaraz also advanced to the quarter-finals, continuing his quest to defend his title. The second seed defeated 13th seed Ben Shelton in a four-set encounter, 7-6(8), 6-3, 4-6, 6-4. Alcaraz faced three set points in a tense first-set tiebreak but managed to hold his nerve on crucial points. After dropping the third set, he recovered strongly to close out the match.
Alcaraz’s next opponent will be 12th seed Tommy Paul, who reached the quarter-finals for the first time by cruising past Alexei Popyrin in straight sets. The men’s tournament is heating up, with Alcaraz looking to build momentum and add another Grand Slam title to his growing resume.
Overall, the French Open quarter-finals promise thrilling battles ahead, with Swiatek and Alcaraz leading the charge in their respective draws. Swiatek’s comeback victory not only demonstrates her fighting spirit but also signals that she remains a formidable contender for the title despite earlier challenges this season.
