French Open 2020: Sensational Iga Swiatek only allows Halep three games
The first really big sensation at the French Open 2020 is perfect: The Polish Iga Swiatek delivered a sensational performance on Sunday lunchtime and took out top favorite Simona Halep!
by Florian Goosmann
last edit: Oct 04, 2020, 12:43 pm
What an achievement by Iga Swiatek! The 19-year-old had a creamy day against Simona Halep, number 1 on the seeding list - and won after just under an hour 6: 1, 6: 2.
Halep did not play badly, but there was hardly anything to be done against the force of Swiatek: 30 winners with 20 mistakes without necessity brought the world ranking 54 onto the field, they earned 14 breakballs. And only seemed to be exposed to the danger of later regretting their too low yield, especially in the middle of the second movement. Swiatek managed four breaks in total. For comparison: When serving on her own, she did not allow anything, Halep had no break chance. Swiatek also scored 51 percent of all points for return points.
"She showed everything she can. I think a new star has risen here," said Barbara Rittner after the match on Eurosport. "Halep was run over. And that actually never happens to her on sand."
Swiatek in Paris so far outstanding
Swiatek was also amazed by himself. It felt like I was playing perfectly. I was so focused the entire match ... I'm surprised myself that I could, "she said after the game and had to hold back tears of joy.
Swiatek had already presented himself in great shape in the tournament so far and only played 13 games against Marketa Vondrousova, Su-Wei Hsieh and comeback Genie Bouchard.
Iga Swiatek: Lost to Halep last year
The result is also remarkable because Halep and Swiatek also met at the French Open last year - and Halep won 6: 1, 6: 0 at the time. "The biggest reason for this was that I was incredibly tense," Swiatek had explained in the run-up to the new edition. She also had the feeling of playing for the first time on the Philippe-Chatrier court. "I had no experience then, now I have. I know that it will be different this time."
Swiatek was proven right.
rg2020