Women’s world number one Iga Swiatek claimed her second Grand Slam crown at the French Open after defeating American teenager Coco Gauff 6-1 6-3 in straight sets at the Stade Roland Garros.
Having defeated Martina Trevisan and Daria Kasatkina in the semi-finals, both women faced each other for the first time as professionals in the final of the tournament. It was also Gauff’s first appearance in a Grand Slam final.
Swiatek showed the quality that made her the highest-ranked female tennis player in the world by brushing her 18-year-old opponent aside in the first set 6-1 in only 33 minutes, becoming the first player to take a set off Gauff at Roland Garros this year.
The 21-year-old Pole found herself on the receiving end of a fightback from the determined teenager, going down 2-0 in the second set before fighting back herself to win the second set 6-3 and claim her second career Grand Slam at 21. Despite her best efforts, it was evident that Gauff was no match for her opponent, who has now won her 35th consecutive match, equalling the record held by Venus Williams for the most consecutive wins in women’s tennis since 2000.
Swiatek has become the youngest player to win two Grand Slam titles since Maria Sharapova won her second title at 19. The Pole has added this year’s French Open title to her 2020 title in the same tournament.
