World No. 1 Iga Swiatek defeated four-time Grand Slam victor Naomi Osaka in an epic three-set match through the second spherical of the French Open on Wednesday.
Swiatek battled again from each match level and a 5-2 gap within the decisive third set to keep away from an upset and pull off a 7-6 (1), 1-6, 7-5 resolution.
Following the competition, the four-time main winners had utterly reverse reactions to how the group behaved through the competitors.
Swiatek — who’s from Poland — is the three-time and reigning French Open champion, successful the occasion in 2020, 2022 and 2023. Her different main title got here on the 2022 U.S. Open.
Osaka was born in Japan however moved to Lengthy Island throughout her early childhood. The 26-year-old sandwiched her first and third Grand Slam singles crowns on the 2018 and 2020 U.S. Opens (in Queens, New York) between her second and fourth titles on the 2019 and 2021 Australian Opens.
Osaka’s close to upset on Wednesday got here lower than one 12 months after giving beginning and simply 5 months into her comeback from maternity go away.
In line with an Related Press, ESPN and Reuters report, the pair of superstars performed for almost three hours, as “rain loudly pelted the skin of the closed roof at Courtroom Philippe Chatrier.” Per the report, the rain compelled postponements of 23 singles matches till Thursday.
The report added {that a} “riveted, if hardly full” crowd “alternated their assist between the 2 gamers.” Moreover, chair umpire Aurelie Tourte addressed the group on a number of events after spectators “referred to as out earlier than some extent was carried out” quite a few occasions.
