Iga Swiatek avoids Jelena Ostapenko at French Open as Elena Rybakina does her a favor

The seventh chapter of the rivalry between Iga Swiatek and Jelena Ostapenko will have to wait. Many were already anticipating a blockbuster fourth-round clash between two former French Open champions, but that won’t happen. Ostapenko’s early exit means she’ll preserve her perfect 6-0 record against the former World No. 1.

Considering Swiatek’s struggles in 2025 — disappointing results, shaky form — it wouldn’t have been surprising if she had been the one to miss out. However, it was Ostapenko who faltered this time, unable to reach the much-anticipated showdown.

Rybakina Breaks Through

Standing in the way of the most anticipated match so far in the women’s draw was Elena Rybakina. The Kazakh, despite a difficult season, found form just in time by winning the Strasbourg title the week before Roland-Garros. She carried that momentum into Paris, reaching the second week with relative ease.

Some may point to her shaky first-round match, where she dropped a set to qualifier Riera. Yet she quickly found rhythm, defeating youngster Jovic 6-3, 6-3, and then dominating Ostapenko with a double 6-2 win. While she enters her next match as the underdog against four-time French Open champion Swiatek, Rybakina has once again proved she’s not to be underestimated.

Evenly Matched: Swiatek vs Rybakina

The head-to-head between Swiatek and Rybakina stands tied at 4-4. Importantly, Rybakina has already beaten Swiatek on clay twice — once in Stuttgart and once in Rome, though the latter ended with a retirement from the Pole in the third set. This suggests a potentially close battle ahead.

Swiatek remains undefeated in sets at this year’s French Open, but she’s no longer the untouchable force she was in 2022 and 2023. Still title-less in 2025, the newly 24-year-old is facing opponents who now step onto the court believing they have a real shot.

A Look at the Path Ahead

Both players find themselves in one of the toughest sections of the women’s draw. The winner of their match could face Italian Open champion Jasmine Paolini in the quarterfinals, and potentially World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka or Olympic gold medalist Qinwen Zheng in the semis. And that’s still not the final.

To lift the trophy, Swiatek or Rybakina must survive a brutal series of matches, starting with their showdown, likely scheduled for Sunday on Court Philippe-Chatrier. One step at a time will be the only possible approach.