Iga Swiatek advances to French Open final after defeating Beatriz Haddad Maia
In the upcoming French Open final, Iga Swiatek, the reigning champion and top-ranked player in the world, will go head-to-head against unseeded Czech player Karolina Muchova.
Iga Swiatek.<p>Reigning champion and world number one, Iga Swiatek, to face unseeded Czech Karolina Muchova in French Open final, after defeating Brazilian 14th seed Beatriz Haddad Maia 6-2, 7-6 (7).</p>
<p>In earlier semi-final, Muchova fought back from 5-2 down in the deciding set to claim a 7-6 (5) 6-7 (5) 7-5 victory in a tremendous contest lasting three hours and 13 minutes.</p>
<p>Poland's Swiatek, in pursuit of her third Roland Garros crown in four years, aims to become the first woman since Justine Henin won it three times from 2005-07 to successfully defend the title.</p>
<p>At the young age of 22, Swiatek has reached her third French Open final, a feat only accomplished by Monica Seles at the start of the 1990s.</p>
<p>"It's really amazing. It's just tough to play such a long tournament, to be able to play consistently. Every year I have good results here and I'm pretty excited for Saturday," said Swiatek, reflecting on her achievement.</p>
<p>"It wasn't easy, she's a fighter. I'm happy that I played so well in the tie-breaker. I'm just glad that I was solid and I managed to finish these last shots," Swiatek added, describing her hard-fought victory over Haddad Maia.</p>
<p>Haddad Maia, the first Brazilian woman to reach a Grand Slam semi-final since seven-time major winner Maria Bueno in 1968, initially broke Swiatek's serve to love in the opening game. However, the top seed quickly took control of the match.</p>
<p>Swiatek won five of the following six games, breaking Haddad Maia for a third time to claim the set.</p>
<p>Although Haddad Maia gained a 3-1 advantage in the second set, Swiatek rallied and won the next three games.</p>
<p>At four-all, Swiatek faced three break points, but skilfully saved each one. Then she fought off a set point in the tie-break, putting an end to the remarkable run of the left-hander, who had never advanced past the second round of a Grand Slam prior to this year's French Open.</p>
<p>The article <a href="https://www.planetsport.com/tennis/news/iga-swiatek-advances-to-french-open-final-after-defeating-beatriz-haddad-maia">Iga Swiatek advances to French Open final after defeating Beatriz Haddad Maia </a> appeared first on Planetsport.com.</p>