Iga Swiatek qualified for her third Roland-Garros final in four years on Thursday after her victory over Beatriz Haddad Maia.
The marathon ended in the semi-finals of Roland-Garros on center court for Beatriz Haddad Maia. The Brazilian gave up on Thursday, June 8, against world No. 1 Iga Swiatek in two sets (6-2, 7-6[9-7]) in 2h09 hours of play. Too constant, too mobile, simply too strong, the defending champion qualified for the third final of her career at Porte d’Auteuil, in four years. Seeking a double, Swiatek will challenge Czech Karolina Muchova who upset Belarusian and world number two Aryna Sabalenka earlier in the day.
The Science of the Game by Swiatek
However, the game was not easy for the Polish world n°1. Against Iga Swiatek, the best defense remains the attack and Beatriz Haddad Maia has understood this, especially with 12:55 of legwork since the start of the tournament, the highest total of the four semi-finalists.
With both feet in the court on the return, the Brazilian broke her opponent from the start with the help of her big left-handed forehand. Time for Iga Swiatek to digest the atmosphere of a Philippe-Chatrier court for a sparse time and to start the moped. In the process, the Polish unbroken, really launching her game.
Aggressive and close to her line, the world No. 1 then recalled why she had been collecting bicycle wheels since the start of the fortnight. The forehand slaps and the geometry of the Philippe-Chatrier court is imprinted in his head to better find the best angles.
“She’s left-handed, aggressive and she’s a fighter. I had to be consistent and I had to finish the tie-break before the game turned against me.
Iga Swiatek, qualified for the Roland-Garros final
Too hard to follow for the Brazilian, often overwhelmed in service despite some flashes, and who had to give up the first set 6-2.
Iga, nerves of steel
But the seed number 14 did not arrive there to be scattered all over the court like the previous victims of the Polish. Overtaken at the baseline, it was at the net that she decided to attack Iga Swiatek (6/8 on the fly in the second set). A break quickly rewards his intentions.
However, the Polish replicates almost instantly and the fight can take place. The game while variations of the world No. 1 responds to the flashes of Beatriz Haddad Maia like this passing dropped at the end of the race at 3-2 nailing Swiatek on the spot.
The Brazilian can however regret her three break points obtained at 4-4 in this second set, as she finally seemed to open a breach in the defending champion’s clay armor. As in the tie-break with this set point harvested on a full-net forehand. Because to defeat the double winner at Roland-Garros, you have to seize every opportunity. The Polish knows it and she finds the flaw on her second match point. Iga Swiatek will defend her title well on Saturday against the surprise Karolina Muchova. The queen of ocher has struck again.