Defending champion Iga Swiatek made a successful start to her Roland Garros title defense, but the 6-3 6-3 scoreline against Slovakia’s Rebecca Sramkova doesn’t quite capture the grit required to secure the win.
The world No. 42 Sramkova gave Swiatek a competitive match. The Slovak held her ground until 3-3 in the first set, when Swiatek capitalized on her third break point. The world No. 5 then surged ahead, quickly building a 40-0 lead in her next service game. Although Sramkova fought back to deuce, Swiatek held firm to take a 5-3 lead, eventually closing the set in 45 minutes.
The second set began with a surprising twist. Sramkova broke Swiatek’s serve and consolidated for a 2-0 lead within just six minutes. But Swiatek soon found her rhythm again, leveling at 3-3. She broke again in the eighth game and needed three match points to seal the win.
Both players looked amazing on Court Philippe-Chatrier. Swiatek wore her new gradient pastel outfit by On (Summer Court Tank and Mid-Summer Court Skirt) complete with vibrant yellow On the Roger Pro 2 Clay shoes, while Sramkova impressed in a figure-flattering blue Mizuno Naval Dress.
Off the court, Sramkova’s story is one of perseverance. In 2017, after a falling-out with her father and coach, Jozef, she was kicked out of her home. “At that time, I realized that I love tennis and that I would stick with it even if I had to die of hunger,” she once revealed. “In fact, after leaving home, I ate rice for three months because I couldn’t afford food or a coach. It’s really a miracle that I managed to take care of myself.”
Up next for Swiatek is a blockbuster second-round clash with 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu. Swiatek leads their H2H 4-0, including a 6-1 6-0 victory at this year’s Australian Open.
