Iga Swiatek suffered an alarming capitulation at the end of her French Open semi-final.
The Pole took on Aryna Sabalenka for a spot in Saturday’s championship match, where she would have competed for a fifth title in Paris.
With the score locked at a set apiece, Swiatek looked set to build on her momentum, but what transpired was the complete opposite.
Swiatek lost the final set without winning a game, as Sabalenka booked a place in her first French Open final.
CoCo Vandeweghe was concerned by what happened to Iga Swiatek’s game at the French Open
It is rare that Iga Swiatek loses a set 6-0 on any surface let alone clay.
So it came as a shock to many when Swiatek managed to win just six points in the third set of her semi-final against Sabalenka.
Sabalenka claimed a 7-6, 4-6, 6-0 victory and will face either Coco Gauff or home favourite and surprise package Lois Boisson in the final.
Former WTA player and TNT Sports commentator CoCo Vandeweghe watched the match and expressed her concern with Swiatek’s drastic drop in level in the deciding set.
“It was a sad beginning because I thought Iga had it. I thought she was gaining momentum and had figured out what Sabalenka was doing,” the American said post-match.
“Sabalenka was taking the ball early and was able to take Iga’s spin on the rise, which is really hard to do on the clay courts but because the roof is closed the conditions were perfect.
“Then Iga fell away. Mentally she was just bothered constantly and that was what was so worrying to me the whole match. I just think she realised the moment that was at hand.
“I think Iga is feeling the pressure of no titles so far and hasn’t played her best tennis or anywhere near it.”
CoCo Vandeweghe assesses Iga Swiatek’s French Open defeat
Swiatek was aiming to make more history by winning the French Open for a fifth time.
But her winning run of 26 successive matches is now at the end and the Pole has not won a championship since the 2024 French Open.
Therefore, Swiatek’s exit means a new French Open champion will be crowned and Vandeweghe commented on whether this will be a one off or if Swiatek’s dominant run on clay is now over for the forseeeable future.
“Even though I did bet it was going to be three sets, I think the manner of the sets that Sabalenka won, they were just dominant,” the American said.
“Six points in that third set, that is complete domination of a former number one in the world and someone who has dominated on clay.
“We think of domination on clay, we think of Iga Swiatek, but is this a changing of the guard? That’s the next question for me. Who has the mantle? And does Iga Swiatek have a lot of work to do as far as the rest of the year, good luck.”
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