The tennis world watched on in what must have been awe as defending French Open champion Iga Swiatek and Naomi Osaka had a battle of the four-time Grand Slam winners on Court Phillipe-Chatrier. Despite Osaka’s previous success, she was a heavy underdog against the world #1. However, what transpired was an incredible match, with the Pole showing extraordinary mental strength to prevail.
Iga Swiatek Saves Match Point To Win Amazing Osaka Match
Swiatek Wins A Very Tight Opening Set
Osaka looked imposing from the start of the contest. She created a break point at 1-1, narrowly hitting a forehand long. That was followed by Swiatek breaking serve in the next game but the Japanese star did not let that knock her confidence. Her very powerful ball-striking was rewarded with a break of serve at 4-3. The world No. 1 was playing well herself, with the match being of exceptional quality.
The 2020 US Open champion held a set point at 5-4 up, but the Pole managed to fend it off. That proved to be crucial in deciding the first set. Swiatek raised her level in the tiebreak and won it 7-1 to claim the set as a whole 7-6.
Osaka Roars Back In Second Set
Many will have expected Swiatek to take control of the match after that. However, the exact opposite happened. Osaka began to play even better, barely putting a foot wrong throughout the entire second set. That coincided with a drop in the three-time French Open champion’s level, leading to Osaka racing into a 4-0 lead. Swiatek avoided a 6-0 set with a hold, but normal service was quickly resumed. Osaka blasted her way to winning the set 6-1 to force a decider.
Swiatek Survives Incredible Deciding Set
Swiatek started the third set more imposingly on return and from the baseline. She created three break points in Osaka’s opening service game but the Japanese star denied her with some excellent serving under pressure. Unfortunately for Swiatek, she was not as strong on her serve. Osaka broke her again in the following game, before saving more break points to go 3-0 up. It was incredible how well Osaka was playing on the big points after only returning to the sport this year.
The two-time Australian Open champion almost got a double break at 4-1 but Swiatek managed to hold on after saving break points. That proved to be a crucial moment in the contest. Osaka held a match point at 5-3 on her serve but could not convert it after an unforced error. Swiatek then broke serve and held in the next game to level the set at 5-5.
After another long game with more outstanding hitting from both players, Swiatek broke Osaka once again. The world #1 served it out to keep her hopes of a fourth French Open title alive with a 7-6 1-6 7-5 triumph.
Main photo credit: Taya Gray/The Desert Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK
