Roland Garros Women’s Day 4

Iga Swiatek struggled but mounted a third-set fightback to extend  her spring win streak on a wet Wednesday at the French Open as a majority of matches were postponed due to the weather.

The top seed and three-time Roland Garros winner triumphed in a thriller over fellow multiple Grand Slam champion and one-time No. 1 Naomi Osaka 7-6 (1), 1-6, 7-5 under the closed roof of the Chatrier showcourt.

The world No. 1 rallied from 5-2 down in the final set and saved a match point in the ninth game as nerves got the better of Japan’s Osaka, playing this spring for the first time since trakin 2023 off to give birth.

Swiatek broke again for 6-5 and closed out her narrow escape a game later on her first march point at the three-hour mark.

She has now won her last 14 matches on clay.

“It was really intense and on a really high level. I was in huge trouble in the third set, but I managed somehow to win this match, which is kind of abstract, but I’m glad that I didn’t give up,” Swiatek said.

“I honestly didn’t believe I could win, because I would be pretty naive. 

“But it didn’t change the fact that I just tried to do work to play better. I

actually managed to be more focused at the end of the match, which went pretty badly In first and second sets.

“I felt like I’m not completely in the zone. When I was under the biggest pressure I was able actually to switch that and maybe that made the difference.”

Osaka took defeat with a positive attitude: “I cried when I got off the court. But I think I’m doing pretty well. 

“I’m also just trying not to be too hard on myself. I feel like I played her on her better surface. 

“I’m a hard-court kid, so I would love to play her on my surface and see what happens.”

Third seed Coco Gauff posted a 6-3, 6-4 win over former semifinalist Tamara Zidansek.

“I definitely didn’t think it was as strong as my first round. I felt like I could have,

especially in the second set, probably won it a little bit sooner,” Gauff said.

“There’s always things you can do better, but I try not to over-analyse everything..

2023 quarter-finalist and eighth seed Ons Jabeur battled past an upset-minded Camila Osorio, 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 to win her 15th career win in the Paris second round.

Tunisia’s three-time Grand Slam runner-up took a tumble onto the clay in the second set, slightly upsetting her rhythm and allowing her Colombian opponent to start comeback and win her first set in her series with Jabeur.

But the seed recovered in a third set containing five service breaks, with Jabeur edging out victory with the help of 31 winners.

“They were obviously tough conditions for me,” Jabeur said. “I don’t like when the ball gets too heavy. 

“I didn’t know how to manage much in the second set, but I’m glad I turned it back in the third.”

She added: “I just tried to focus a lot on my serve. I was trying to be more aggressive.

“I felt it was a bit humid inside that court. I had the game to win this match. I just

needed to believe more.”

Sofia Kenin sent Carolina Garcia out in their first career Grand Slam meeting and left the French crowd disappointed with a 6-3, 6-3 win in 85 minutes.

The American played the 2020 final here, losing to Swiatek four months after winning her lone Grand Slam trophy in Australia.

Kenin broke four times from nine chances to reach the third round in Paris for the fourth time.

“I love red clay, I feel like it suits my game. I try to use it to my advantage, and I love the courts here,” Kenin said.

“Playing on Philippe-Chatrier was even more special and memorable. I feel like I’m super comfortable on that court. I’ve got some amazing memories there, so I try to use that to my advantage.” 

Garcia, twice a Paris doubles champion, was playing her home major for the 14th time and now stands 3-8 in second-round play here; she reached the quarter-finals seven years ago.

“I felt like I played super well. The atmosphere was very equal. I
enjoyed it very much,” the winner said. “Winning today obviously meant a lot to

me, especially beating Caro.”