Contrast women’s final this Saturday (3:00 pm) at Roland Garros. The biggest moment and with aspirations to build a legend in Paris, the No. 1 Iga Swiatekunexpectedly Jasmine Paolini who expressed his lack of ambition and who burst into a world increasingly focused on centimeters and power from his 1.63 height. Small but guerilla and competitive like no other.
The Polish Iga Swiatek He will emerge as the undisputed favorite based on his track record. At 23 years old, which he finished in the French capital, it was his fourth final at Roland Garros, fifth Grand Slam, third in a row in Paris. He counts them all so far by achievements. One constant in his career: 21 wins in 26 finals. Almost life insurance when you reach these championship heights. He overcame his fear of the match ball in the second round against Japan Naomi Osakaformer Grand Slam champion and No. 1 came back after a break to be a mother.
“Like Nadal at Roland Garros? Let’s see what happened in fourteen years, but I don’t expect to be compared to Rafa, because he is above all, he is an absolute legend,” said Swiatek about his idol and the choice to continue winning Roland Garros. The women’s record is held by an American Chris Evert with 7. For example, the German Steffi Graf won 6 and the Belgian Justine Henin4. There are three Arantxa Sánchez or Serena Williams.
Of note, only an Italian, Francesca Schiavonein 2010. Later, in 2015, Flavia Pennetta won the US Open. Both in a surprising way, as will be the case of Paolini, 28 years old and world number 15, who will debut in the top-10 on Monday. Seventh or fifth according to their result in the final. Swiatek will have 106 weeks at No. 1.
Champion this season of the WTA 1000 in Dubai, her second and most relevant title to date, she also won the doubles with her compatriot Sara Errani, who lost in the individual final at Roland Garros 2012. On Sunday they are in the modality final.
Paolini enjoys humility, not belief. “For me, it’s incredible to see the interviews with Djokovic as a kid saying he wants to be number one in the world. The same with Sinner at the age of 15, who dreams of being this,” Paolini explained.
He confessed that “when I started playing tennis, I didn’t dream, I enjoyed it. When I started training, my dream was to become a professional, I didn’t dream of being number one or a Grand Slam champion. No I dreamed it big.”
He points out that now he realizes that “it is not positive, it is important to dream. I started doing it, little by little. It wasn’t that long ago.” And it is beyond your expectations. That in the case of Iga Swiatek They are on top of winning a fourth Roland Garros (2020, 2022, 2023), which will include the 2022 US Open. They have won their last 18 matches on clay, the previous 20 in Paris.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Robert Maynard, and I am a passionate journalist with experience in sports writing. For the last few years, I have been writing for Today Times Live. My main focus has been on sports-related stories and features. With my strong background in journalism and extensive knowledge of the industry, I am able to provide readers with well-crafted pieces that are both informative and engaging.
