At just 23, Swiatek has played in four Grand Slam finals – and won all of them. She was triumphant at the US Open in 2022 and at Roland-Garros in 2020, 2022 and 2023. And has won 20 consecutive matches on the Paris clay.
Lindsay Davenport was pretty blunt on the Tennis Channel: “Iga Swiatek is as big a favorite as you could possibly be in a Grand Slam final.
Naomi Osaka did test her properly in the third round, losing 7-6, 1-6, 7-5, something to give a glimmer of hope to Paolini. Here is Tuamaini Carayol’s report of that game:
Good afternoon! Welcome to our coverage of the women’s singles final between Iga Swiatek and Jasmine Paolini in Paris. The No. 1 seed’s arrival in the final is no surprise – the queen of clay has been in majestic form since coming back from match point against Naomi Osaka in the third round, and is now on course to become only the third woman to win three successive French titles in the open era – after Justine Henin. and Monica Seles
Paolini’s position the other side of the net is more of an eye-opener, having never previously gone beyond the second round in Paris. At 28, she is finally finding her wings. Can she overturn the odds and defeat Swiatek? We will find out soon.
Play starts at 2pm BST.