Tennis

Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek, the defending champion, will face off in the French Open semifinals after securing victories on June 4.Gauff, the No. 3 seed, rallied to defeat Ons Jabeur 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, reaching the semifinals of a third consecutive Grand Slam tournament. Swiatek, the No. 1 seed, followed suit on Court Philippe Chatrier with a dominant 6-0, 6-2 victory over Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova, extending her Roland Garros winning streak to 19 matches.Gauff has enjoyed a remarkable run in recent Grand Slams, winning her first major title at the U.S. Open in September and reaching the final four at the Australian Open in January. The 20-year-old American was the runner-up to Swiatek at the French Open in 2022.Overall, Swiatek holds a 10-1 advantage in meetings against Gauff, including a 6-4, 6-3 semifinal win on clay last month en route to the Italian Open title.Despite a tough three-set triumph over four-time major champion Naomi Osaka in the second round last week, Swiatek has been at her dominant best in this French Open, showcasing why she has led the WTA rankings nearly every week since April 2022 and is a popular pick to leave with another title.Excluding the 17 games Osaka managed, Swiatek has dropped a total of only 11 games in her other four matches so far.Swiatek followed up her 6-0, 6-0 shutout of Anastasia Potapova in the fourth round by grabbing the initial seven games against Vondrousova. And make no mistake: Vondrousova is no slouch. In addition to being a Grand Slam champion, she was a finalist at Roland Garros in 2019, won a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics, and is currently ranked No. 6.But she never stood a chance against Swiatek, who compiled 25 winners to just 10 unforced errors. Swiatek, a 23-year-old from Poland, faced just one break point — and, naturally, she saved it.Jabeur's mix of speeds and spins gave Gauff fits at times. And as well-known as Gauff is for her ability to cover the court and play defense, Jabeur managed to keep coming up with winners, finishing with 30 in all."She was playing really well the whole match. She was hitting a lot of winners on me, which is something I’m not used to against anybody,” Gauff said. “So today I was just trying to just be aggressive toward the end.”Gauff pulled away to a 5-2 lead in the last set, then needed a trio of match points to close things out, acknowledging afterward that maybe she grew a little tight down the stretch. The last game was key, with Gauff needing to save a break point, then Jabeur dismissing one match point with a disguised drop shot that earned a roar from the stands that the 29-year-old Tunisian responded to by putting her right index finger to her ear.But on Gauff's next opportunity to seal the victory, Jabeur badly flubbed an overhead. Gauff smiled, then raised her arms and yelled.With the crowd at the main stadium loudly supporting Jabeur at times, Gauff did not play badly in the opening set. But No. 8 seed Jabeur — a three-time major finalist — was superb, winning 17 of 18 first-serve points, never facing a single break point, and accumulating a 12-5 edge in total winners. When she delivered an ace at 114 mph (184 kph) to end the set, Jabeur nodded repeatedly."She’s a tough opponent and she’s well-loved on tour. I could tell by the crowd today — I know you guys wanted her to win. Honestly, whenever she’s not playing (me), I cheer for her, too,” Gauff said. “Even though you guys were for Ons, I really had a lot of fun, even when I lost the first set and they were chanting when I was in the bathroom," Gauff said about her trip off the court after the first set. "I was like, ‘This is just really fun, win or lose.’ It is.”Gauff got going after that, raising her level and trying to gain the upper hand during lengthier exchanges. She put in 16 winners over the last two sets, while breaking serve four times.“I know I have a lot of love here in Paris. Trust me, I know," said Gauff, who won the French Open junior title at age 14. "So I really appreciate it, and hopefully you guys can help me make it through the next round.”

Iga Swiatek's relentless dominance at Roland Garros continued on Tuesday as she cruised past Marketa Vondrousova 6-0, 6-2 to reach the semifinals. The top seed extended her winning streak to 35 consecutive sets, including three straight bagel sets in Paris.Swiatek's resurgence since her near-elimination against Naomi Osaka in the second round has been remarkable. She has dropped only 10 games in her last three matches, showcasing her exceptional form and mental fortitude. Against Vondrousova, she was in complete control, striking 25 winners to 15 unforced errors.The Czech challenger, who had never won a set against Swiatek in their previous encounters, managed to hold serve once in the second set but was unable to make any significant impact on the match. Swiatek's relentless aggression and pinpoint accuracy proved too much to handle.In the semifinals, Swiatek will face No. 3 seed Coco Gauff, who overcame Ons Jabeur in a thrilling three-set battle. The Pole holds a commanding 10-1 head-to-head record against Gauff, including a 4-0 advantage on clay.Swiatek's current form suggests that she is the overwhelming favorite to win her fourth Roland Garros title. Her ability to dominate opponents with such ease is a testament to her exceptional talent and unwavering determination.

Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek emerged victorious in their respective matches at the French Open on Sunday, setting up intriguing quarterfinal clashes.Alcaraz, the 19-year-old Spanish sensation, produced a dominant performance to defeat Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-3, 6-3, 6-1. Despite a recent injury setback, Alcaraz showcased his exceptional talent, hitting 34 winners and displaying impressive consistency. He will now face Stefanos Tsitsipas, who overcame a spirited challenge from Matteo Arnaldi in a thrilling four-set encounter.Meanwhile, Swiatek, the world number one, continued her relentless pursuit of a third consecutive Roland Garros title with a ruthless 6-0, 6-0 demolition of Anastasia Potapova. The Polish star conceded a mere 10 points in the shortest completed match of her career, showcasing her unwavering focus and determination.In other men's action, Jannik Sinner overcame a slow start to defeat Corentin Moutet 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-1. The Italian will face Grigor Dimitrov, who defeated Hubert Hurkacz in straight sets.Coco Gauff, the 2022 French Open runner-up, cruised past Elisabetta Cocciaretto 6-1, 6-2. The American will now take on Ons Jabeur, who defeated Clara Tauson in straight sets.As the tournament progresses, the competition intensifies, with Alcaraz, Tsitsipas, Swiatek, and other top contenders vying for a place in the semifinals. The French Open continues to captivate tennis fans worldwide with its thrilling matches and unpredictable outcomes.

Iga Swiatek's Dominance Continues at Roland Garros with Lightning-Fast VictoryPARIS—Iga Swiatek, the reigning Roland Garros champion, once again showcased her unparalleled dominance on the clay courts of Paris, dispatching Anastasia Potapova in a mere 40 minutes in the fourth round. The 6-0, 6-0 victory was a testament to Swiatek's exceptional form and the gulf in class between the two players.Swiatek's efficiency was astonishing, surpassing her record-breaking 21-minute first set by winning the second in just 19 minutes. Her relentless aggression and pinpoint accuracy left Potapova overwhelmed and unable to mount any meaningful resistance.The statistics tell the tale of Swiatek's dominance: six breaks of serve in eight chances, 13 winners to just two unforced errors, and a staggering 16 "forced errors" induced on Potapova. Five of Swiatek's 12 games won were at love, highlighting her ability to control the tempo and dictate the terms of the match.The swift conclusion of the match was a welcome respite for tournament organizers, who had witnessed Novak Djokovic's marathon victory over Lorenzo Musetti the previous night. For once, Court Philippe Chatrier remained uncovered, allowing the fans to bask in the sunshine and witness Swiatek's brilliance.Swiatek's next opponent will be either Olga Danilovic or Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova, but both players will face an uphill battle against the seemingly unstoppable Polish star. Swiatek's relentless pursuit of perfection and her unwavering focus on the task at hand make her the overwhelming favorite to claim a third consecutive Roland Garros title.

Iga Swiatek, the world's No. 1 tennis player, celebrates her 23rd birthday today. Her remarkable career has been marked by numerous milestones and achievements, which we commemorate with a special stat for each of her 23 birthdays so far:1: Swiatek has spent 105 weeks as the world's No. 1, and she is guaranteed to retain the top ranking regardless of her performance at Roland Garros this year.2: She has finished the year as No. 1 twice, in 2022 and 2023, becoming the youngest woman to achieve back-to-back No. 1 finishes since Caroline Wozniacki in 2010 and 2011.3: Swiatek has won three Roland Garros titles, including her first in 2020 as an unseeded player ranked No. 54.4: She has a perfect 4-0 record in Grand Slam finals, winning Roland Garros three times and the US Open once.5: Swiatek has won five WTA 500 titles, including Doha and Stuttgart in 2023.6: She won six consecutive WTA titles during her 37-match winning streak in 2022, becoming the first player to achieve this feat since Justine Henin in 2007-2008.7: Swiatek has won her first seven sets in Grand Slam finals, a record for women in the Open Era.8: She has won her last eight WTA finals in a row, including Roland Garros, Warsaw, Beijing, and the WTA Finals in 2023.9: Swiatek has already spent the ninth-most weeks at No. 1 in WTA history, trailing only Steffi Graf, Martina Navratilova, Serena Williams, and Chris Evert.10: She has won 10 WTA 1000 titles, including four this year alone.11: Swiatek defeated 11 consecutive Grand Slam champions in straight sets between October 2022 and April 2023, the first woman to achieve this since Serena Williams in 2010-2012.12: She is currently on a 12-match winning streak in Doha, where she has won the title three years in a row.13: Swiatek has won 13 WTA titles as the world's No. 1, including four in 2023.14: She is on a 14-match winning streak going into the third round of Roland Garros.15: Swiatek won 15 consecutive matches against Top 10 players in 2022.16: She has a 16-match winning streak at Roland Garros.17: Swiatek has reached the third round or better at the last 17 Grand Slams in a row.18: She won 18 consecutive matches between Beijing 2022 and the Australian Open 2023.19: Swiatek won her first Grand Slam title at Roland Garros in 2020 at the age of 19, becoming the youngest woman to win the title since Monica Seles in 1992.20: She lost only 20 games en route to the WTA Finals title in 2022, the fewest games lost by any player since the tournament switched to a round-robin format in 2003.21: Swiatek has won 21 career WTA titles, the most among players born in the 2000s.22: She has recorded 22 bagels (6-0 sets) at Grand Slams in her career.23: Swiatek has the potential to break numerous records in the coming year, including becoming the youngest player to win four consecutive Grand Slams.

Reigning French Open champion Iga Swiatek, who turned 23 on Friday, narrowly escaped a second-round upset against Naomi Osaka, saving a match point to advance to the third round. The Polish star, who boasts a 30-2 record at Roland Garros, will face 42nd-ranked Marie Bouzkova in her next match.Swiatek's victory over Osaka was a testament to her resilience and determination. After dropping the first set, she rallied to win the final five games and secure a hard-fought victory. The win also marked her 30th consecutive victory on clay, extending her impressive streak.On the men's side, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are both aiming for a place in the last 16. Alcaraz, who has been battling an arm injury, overcame a scare in the second round against Jesper de Jong. He will now face American Sebastian Korda, who defeated him in their previous meeting on clay.Sinner, the Australian Open champion, has looked impressive in Paris despite concerns over his health. He will play Pavel Kotov, who upset Stan Wawrinka in the last round. Stefanos Tsitsipas, the 2021 Roland Garros runner-up, is also in action, while sixth seed Andrey Rublev faces Matteo Arnaldi.The French Open is shaping up to be an exciting tournament, with several top players vying for the title. Swiatek remains the favorite in the women's draw, while Alcaraz and Sinner are the frontrunners in the men's competition.

Iga Swiatek, the world's top-ranked women's tennis player, survived a thrilling three-set battle against four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka to reach the third round of the French Open on Wednesday.The match, which was billed as the "match of the tournament," lived up to its hype as both players showcased their exceptional skills and determination. Swiatek, who is seeking her fourth Roland Garros title in five years, rallied from a 2-5 deficit in the third set and saved a match point to secure a hard-fought 7-6 (1), 1-6, 7-5 victory.The first set was a closely contested affair, with both players trading blows from the back of the court. Osaka, who has been working hard to improve her clay-court game, showed signs of progress as she rallied from 2-4 down to earn a set point in the 10th game. However, Swiatek held her nerve and dominated the ensuing tiebreaker, winning it 7-1.Osaka turned the tables on Swiatek in the second set, blasting the ball through the court and confounding her opponent with a barrage of winners. Swiatek, who had won 12 straight matches this spring, looked out of sorts as Osaka leveled the match with a 6-1 victory.The third set began with a pair of titanic service games, with both players earning opportunities to break. Osaka drew first blood, holding on from three break points down to open the decider. However, Swiatek refused to go down without a fight and surged ahead 0-40 in the next game. Osaka saved five break points in that game alone, but Swiatek eventually broke through to level the set at 2-2.The intensity continued to build as both players refused to give an inch. Osaka struck a powerful forehand to put herself a game away from the upset, but Swiatek dug deep and saved the match point with a strong second-serve return.Errors began to creep into Osaka's game as Swiatek continued to apply pressure. The Japanese star double faulted to lose a fourth straight game, handing Swiatek the chance to serve for the match.Outrallying Osaka, Swiatek set up two match points with a thunderous backhand winner. Osaka saved the first match point, but Swiatek converted the second when Osaka erred wide off the backhand side after just under three hours on court.Swiatek's victory sets up a third-round clash with either Marie Bouzkova or Croatian lucky loser Jana Fett. The Pole will be aiming to continue her impressive run at Roland Garros, where she has won 16 straight matches and is yet to drop a set.

Iga Swiatek vs. Naomi Osaka: A Clash of Titans on ClayIn a highly anticipated matchup, world No. 1 Iga Swiatek will face off against former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka in the second round of the French Open. The two players have a contrasting history on clay, with Swiatek dominating the surface and Osaka struggling to find her footing.Swiatek has established herself as the queen of clay, winning three French Open titles and compiling an impressive 29-2 record on the surface this season. Her powerful groundstrokes and relentless defense make her a formidable opponent on any court, but especially on clay.Osaka, on the other hand, has never advanced past the third round at Roland Garros. Her game is more suited to hard courts, where her powerful serve and aggressive baseline play can overwhelm opponents. However, she has shown signs of improvement on clay this season, reaching the semifinals in Madrid.Despite their contrasting records on clay, Osaka possesses the weapons to challenge Swiatek. Her serve is one of the most feared in the women's game, and her return of serve is equally impressive. If she can control the rallies and avoid unforced errors, she has a chance to upset the world No. 1.Jannik Sinner vs. Richard Gasquet: Youth vs. ExperienceIn another intriguing matchup, rising star Jannik Sinner will take on veteran Richard Gasquet. Sinner, ranked No. 2 in the world, is the clear favorite on paper. He has won a major title this year and has a dominant 29-2 record on the season.Gasquet, at 37 years old, is a former top-10 player who has seen his ranking decline in recent years. However, he remains a dangerous opponent on clay, where his experience and crafty shot-making can trouble even the best players.Sinner's youth and power will be a major advantage, but Gasquet's experience and crowd support could give him an edge. If Sinner can maintain his focus and avoid complacency, he should be able to secure the victory.Frances Tiafoe vs. Denis Shapovalov: A Battle of Shot-MakersTwo of the most exciting young players in the game, Frances Tiafoe and Denis Shapovalov, will face off in a clash of styles. Both players are known for their flashy shot-making and unpredictable play.Tiafoe, ranked No. 26, has a slight edge in the rankings and has been more consistent this season. Shapovalov, ranked No. 118, has struggled with injuries and inconsistency but remains a dangerous opponent on his day.This matchup promises to be an explosive and entertaining affair. Tiafoe's power and consistency may give him the edge, but Shapovalov's left-handed serve and ability to hit winners from any position make him a threat.

Iga Swiatek, the world's top-ranked tennis player, commenced her pursuit of a third consecutive Roland Garros title with an emphatic 6-1, 6-2 victory over French qualifier Léolia Jeanjean on Monday. This triumph extended her remarkable winning streak in Paris to 15 matches.Swiatek, who had won her previous 12 matches before arriving at the French Open, including back-to-back titles in Madrid and Rome, made light work of Jeanjean in a match that lasted just 61 minutes. The Pole converted all three break opportunities in the opening set, which she claimed in 30 minutes.Jeanjean briefly raised the spirits of the Chatrier crowd by breaking Swiatek's serve at the start of the second set. However, Swiatek quickly regained control, breaking back immediately and winning 10 consecutive points to move within a game of victory. She sealed the match with a powerful forehand that set up three match points, converting with a backhand into the open court.Swiatek's next opponent will be former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka, who overcame a tough three-set battle with Italian Lucia Bronzetti on Sunday. Osaka has won four Grand Slam titles but has historically struggled on clay.Swiatek's dominance on clay is undeniable. She has won the Roland Garros title three times in the past four years, losing only one match in Paris since 2021. Her 2024 clay-court season began with a surprising loss in the semifinals of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, but she quickly rebounded with victories in Madrid and Rome.Jeanjean, a 28-year-old qualifier, enjoyed a memorable run at Roland Garros in 2022, where she stunned former world No. 1 Karolina Pliskova en route to the third round. However, she proved to be no match for Swiatek, who is the overwhelming favorite to win a fourth title at the French Open.