A 13th meeting between two of the WTA’s leading lights looms as Iga Swiatek will no doubt put her Queen of Clay title on the line against Aryna Sabalenka at the French Open.
Amid all the doubts surrounding Swiatek pre tournament, she has managed to find some of her best form when she has needed to including against Elina Svitolina who has been perhaps the player of the summer so far on clay.
Likely her biggest test, Swiatek passed it with flying colours winning 6-1, 7-5. Sabalenka prevailed earlier this morning against Zheng Qinwen. Another match that was perhaps earmarked to go three sets like this one. But it didn’t as Swiatek after wading through the opening set with ease had a tricky end.
But she hit three straight aces to win it and gain a modicum of control in winning the game after a tough spell against the Ukrainian who has remodelled her game and is in career best form right now.
She went 3-1 and 4-3 up as it looked likely she would force a decider but the excellence of 23 winners and 29 unforced errors saw Swiatek wrestle back control.
She broke at 5-5 and ran for the hills after gaining her chance claiming the win. Who wins the latest Sabatek meeting. Will Swiatek get the four peat?
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