Iga Swiatek of Poland serves the ball during the women's singles final against Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, June 10, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
PARIS, June 10 (Xinhua) -- World No. 1 Iga Swiatek captured her third French Open singles title and second in a row at Roland Garros following a roller-coaster victory over Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic here on Saturday.
It was the fourth Grand Slam trophy overall for Swiatek. The Pole sealed a 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 victory after two hours and 46 minutes in a match that ended with an unexpected double fault from her Czech opponent.
Reaching the final yet to drop a set in the previous six matches, the top seed had to dig deep to withstand a strong fightback from Muchova.
Muchova broke twice for a lead in a back-and-forth decider, only to see the defending champion break back before holding a crucial service in the ninth game to take a 5-4 lead. The 22-year-old then surged to 40-15 in the 10th game when Muchova served, and the latter committed a double fault to hand the victory to Swiatek.
Despite her loss at the final hurdle, Muchova had already made a career breakthrough in Paris, as the world No. 43 stunned second seed Aryna Sabalenka to secure her debut in a Grand Slam final. The 26-year-old Czech had shown her resilience in the epic semifinal when she rallied from 5-2 down in the decider to turn the tide and dispatch the reigning Australian Open champion. ■
Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic hits a return during the women's singles final against Iga Swiatek of Poland at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, June 10, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic hits a return during the women's singles final against Iga Swiatek of Poland at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, June 10, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic hits a return during the women's singles final against Iga Swiatek of Poland at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, June 10, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic hits a return during the women's singles final against Iga Swiatek of Poland at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, June 10, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic hits a return during the women's singles final against Iga Swiatek of Poland at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, June 10, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
Iga Swiatek of Poland competes during the women's singles final against Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, June 10, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic hits a return during the women's singles final against Iga Swiatek of Poland at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, June 10, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
Iga Swiatek of Poland hits a return during the women's singles final against Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, June 10, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
Iga Swiatek of Poland hits a return during the women's singles final against Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, June 10, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
Iga Swiatek kisses Suzanne Lenglen trophy during the trophy ceremony for the women's singles final match between Iga Swiatek of Poland and Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, June 10, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
Iga Swiatek poses with Suzanne Lenglen trophy during the trophy ceremony for the women's singles final match between Iga Swiatek of Poland and Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, June 10, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
Iga Swiatek (R) reacts with French Tennis Federation's President Gilles Moretton after loosing the top of the trophy Suzanne Lenglen, following the women's singles final match between Iga Swiatek of Poland and Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, June 10, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
