Iga Swiatek sees off Jasmine Paolini to capture fourth French Open title
Tennis world number one Iga Świątek successfully defended her French Open title for the third year in a row beating debutante Jasmine Paolini of Italy 6-2, 6-1 at Roland Garros 2024 on Saturday (8 June).
Swiatek came into the clash as the overwhelming favourite having won all four of her previous Grand Slam finals – US Open in 2022 and at Roland-Garros in 2020, 2022 and 2023. Clinching her fourth French Open title, Swiatek moved within three of all-time record holder Chris Evert of the United States.
Paolini made a promising start to her maiden Grand Slam getting the first break in the first game to put the two-time defending champion on the backfoot.
But the Polish ace soon found her rhythm and dominated the rest of the match wearing Paolini down by working her opponent around the clay court.
Świątek was in fighting form in the second set breaking Paolini early and asserting herself as the match progressed. While the Polish star could not put a foot wrong, unforced errors took the sting out of any fightback effort.
Paolini found some recourse in the sixth game, saving her serve to add some respectability to the scoreline. Her dogged stand only delayed the inevitable with Świątek holding serve to clinch her third consecutive and fourth overall French Open women’s singles title.
Paolini will have a shot at redemption in the women's doubles final on Sunday with Sara Errani where they will face Coco Gauff and Katerina Siniakova.
For her efforts, Świątek walked away with a winner’s cheque of €2,4 million with Paolini collecting €1,2 million.
“It is amazing to be here. I love this place, every year I can’t wait to get back here,” Świątek said after the match.
“I was almost out of the tournament in the second round. So thank you for cheering for me. I also needed to believe that this one is possible. It has been an emotional tournament.”