Swiatek sinks Paolini to win fourth RG title

Iga Swiatek swatted away a brief challenge from Jasmine Paolini on Saturday to win her fourth French Open title in five years with a 6-2, 6-1 victory.

The Pole, who will remain comfortably atop the WTA rankings for a 106th week, added a fifth major to her trophy collection; she also won the US Open two years ago.

Swiatek used her big-match experience to best effect in the 68-minute success against the smiling Italian outsider hoping against the odds for an upset result.

After going down a break in the opening set, Swiatek broke straight back for 2-all and never allowed her opponent another game as she swept the 37-minute opener.

Swiatek took the match by the throat, winning 11 of the final 12 games and finishing off the final on her first match point as Paolini returned long over the baseline.

Victory marked her 21st straight match win in Paris. She was presented the trophy by seven-time Roland Garros champion Chris Evert

“It’s not so easy to play for weeks at the top level,” Swiatek said, getting occasional coaching on the podium by Evert after forgetting what to say in her victory speech.

“It’s amazing to be here… I love this place. I wait every year to come back here.

“I was almost out of the tournament in the second round – she saved a match point against Naomi Osaka – but the crowd stayed behind my back and cheered for me.

“It’s been a really emotional tournament for me. At times I didn’t think this (fourth trophy) would be possible.”

The top seed finished with 28 winners while Paolini, who will rise to seventh in the world, could manage only seven.

Paolini is the third Italian woman in the Open Era to reach a Roland Garros final after Francesca Schiavone (2010 champion) and Sara Errani (2012 finalist).

Paolini kept her trademark smile during the podium ceremony, looking forward to her Sunday women’s doubles final alongside Errani.

“I have to say congrats to Iga,” the Italian said. “Playing her her is one of the toughest challenges in the sport.

“The past 10 or 15 days – maybe more – that I’ve been here have been the best days of my life I think.

“And they are still going on with the doubles final.

“It’s been really intense but I’m happy and proud of me and my teams. Today was tough, but I’m proud anyway.

Main photo: Iga Swaitek with trophy after she wins Ladies singles final beating Jasmine Pioline (ITA) 6-2 ,6-1 by Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd