World No. 1 Iga Swiatek was tested but emerged victorious yet again at Roland Garros. The three-time defending champion rolled out a 6-2, 7-5 victory over Romania's Jaqueline Cristian to reach the fourth round of the French Open for the seventh year running, upping her streak at the clay-court Grand Slam to 24 matches.
But the match was far from simple for Swiatek. Following a quick first set win in a mere 39 minutes without ever being confronted with break points, the Polish sensation faced a fiery test in the second set from a fired-up Cristian, who had come off a good run to the Rabat final and carried that momentum onto Court Philippe-Chatrier.
Swiatek’s composure was tested as she saved six break points during a hard-fought second set against a determined Cristian, who nearly pushed the match to a deciding third set. At 5-5 in the second set, with Cristian just one point away from forcing a tiebreak, Swiatek rallied to break serve and close out the match in one hour and 54 minutes.
The highest seeded player breathed a sign of relief after overcoming the tough encounter.
I'm just pleased that I was really solid in the previous match and didn't give any free points," Swiatek commented. "She utilized her opportunities and tried every time I gave her an opportunity. It was a superb match and I think quite entertaining. We played nicely both of us; I'm glad I am through and satisfied with the performance," she said to the WTA Tour.
This win maintains Swiatek on track to equal Monica Seles' Open Era record of 25 consecutive victories at the French Open. She will get a tough test to achieve it in the next round when she meets either 2022 Wimbledon champion and 12th seed Elena Rybakina or 2017 Roland Garros champion Jelena Ostapenko.
If Ostapenko, Swiatek has a tough record, standing at a surprising 0-6 head-to-head against the Latvian.
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