Defending champion Iga Swiatek narrowly escaped an early exit by overcoming Naomi Osaka in a gripping second-round match in a dramatic match at the French Open.
The 22-year-old Polish player, aiming for her third consecutive title, rallied to win with scores of 7-6 (7-1), 1-6, 7-5.
Osaka, the former world number one who recently returned to tennis after becoming a mother, challenged Swiatek on her favored clay surface. Despite her powerful performance, Osaka missed a crucial opportunity to secure a lead in the final set, which ultimately cost her the match.
Swiatek, who has emerged as the WTA Tour’s leading player, particularly on clay, has now only lost two out of 32 matches at Roland Garros. Her victory over Osaka, a hard-court specialist, adds to her impressive season record, which includes titles in Madrid and Rome.
Ons Jabeur, the eighth seed, also faced a tough challenge but managed to advance to the third round after defeating Camila Osorio. Jabeur, who reached the quarter-finals last year, is on a quest for her first Grand Slam title and will face either Leylah Fernandez or Wang Xiyu next.
The match was marked by numerous breaks of serve, but Jabeur’s resilience shone through as she secured a 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 win.
In other news, American Coco Gauff, last year’s finalist and current third seed, defeated Slovenia’s Tamara Zidansek with a straight-set victory of 6-3, 6-4.
Gauff is set to face either Dayana Yastremska or Wang Yafan in her next match. The young American continues her pursuit of a Grand Slam title at Roland Garros, where she has previously shown strong form.
Reported By BBC Sports
