PARIS, June 8 (Xinhua) -- Top-seeded Iga Swiatek clinched her third consecutive French Open title, her fifth Grand Slam victory overall, with a dominant straight-set win over Jasmine Paolini on Saturday.
The Polish world No. 1 took just 68 minutes to defeat Italy's 12th seed 6-2, 6-1, showcasing her unrivaled prowess on clay courts.
"I wanted to thank my family and my team. So many difficulties in so many weeks," Swiatek said tearfully.
Swiatek also recalled her second-round match against former world No.1 Naomi Osaka, where she saved a match point to overcome the four-time major winner in a nearly three-hour battle.
"Even though I was really close to being out of it against Naomi, I just survived that match and then played with huge confidence (after)," Swiatek said. "I'm just proud of myself that I didn't stop and the pressure didn't squeeze me down."
Following that challenge, Swiatek did not drop a single set on her way to the title.
"I love this place, honestly," the Pole added. "I wait every year to come back here. "
In 2020, Swiatek won her maiden title in Paris, becoming the lowest-ranked champion in the Open era history (at No.54 in the rankings). Having celebrated her 23rd birthday last week, Swiatek became the third female player in the Open era to win three consecutive French Open titles, joining Monica Seles (1990-1992) and Justine Henin (2005-2007).
Swiatek also became the youngest player in history to claim four Roland-Garros women's singles titles, and the sixth youngest woman in history to claim five Grand Slam singles titles.
This victory extended her Roland-Garros win streak to 21 matches. Her last defeat in Paris was in the 2021 quarter-finals against Maria Sakkari.
Swiatek hit 18 winners against 13 unforced errors in the final, and put immense pressure on Paolini's serve, winning 69 percent of her return points and breaking serve five times from nine opportunities.
Paolini managed just seven winners against 21 unforced errors. She converted the only break point she held, in the third game of the match.
But after being broken, Swiatek won 10 consecutive games, securing the first set and racing to a 5-0 lead in the second.
Paolini managed to hold serve for only the second time in the match, but Swiatek left no doubt when serving for the victory. An impressive serve forced Paolini to return out of bounds, sealing Swiatek's win.
"I think to play you here is the toughest challenge in our sport," Paolini said as she accepted her runner-up trophy. "But I think I really enjoyed the match - it was important to step on the court and enjoy the moment because it's a good moment for me."
Paolini started this season ranked No.29, and she made her first Grand Slam round of 16 in January at the Australian Open. Things moved quickly from there as she won the WTA 1000 title in Dubai in February. After Dubai, she made her Top 20 debut at No.14.
The Italian, who had never reached the third round at Roland Garros before this year, will break into the top 10 for the first time, ranking World No. 7 in next week's WTA rankings.
"I don't know where this journey is going to -- I don't know how to say -- take me," Paulini said at the press conference. "But I'm curious to discover that. I'm trying to step on the court every day and give my 100 percent. Let's see what the future will bring to me."
The 28-year-old will become the fifth Italian to rank inside the world's top 10 in the Open Era, following Francesca Schiavone, Flavia Pennetta, Sara Errani, and Roberta Vinci.
"Throughout this year I have been more consistent, and that I think helped me to take also chances when the chances are coming," Paolini said. ■
