Tennis: Iga Swiatek saves match point to beat Naomi Osaka at French Open, Coco Gauff wins easily

Naomi Osaka was a point away from victory over world No.1 and three-time champion Iga Swiatek on Wednesday (29 May) at Roland-Garros.

But the last point can often be the most challenging, as many tennis fans know, and the 22-year-old Swiatek roared back for the win under a closed roof inside Court Philippe Chatrier in two hours, 57 minutes, 7-6(1) 1-6 7-5.

The 2020, 2022 and 2023 champion won the final five games of the match, saving a match point at 3-5 down on Osaka’s serve.

The former world No.1 and four-time Grand Slam champion was on the verge of a statement win, having given birth to her first child last July and returning to the professional tennis tour in January. The 26-year-old world No.134 from Japan was attempting to snap a 13-match win streak for the Polish star, who had won big warm-up events in both Madrid and Rome in recent weeks.

“This match was really intense,” a breathless Swiatek said on court after her win. “Naomi played amazing tennis with really loose hands, risking a lot. She played really, really great tennis. … I’m happy that she’s back.”

On Court Suzanne-Lenglen, No.3 seed Coco Gauff had easier work in her secound round match, beating Tamara Zidansek of Slovenia, 6-3 6-4.

Gauff won in one hour, 31 minutes while hitting 23 winners and going 16 from 22 at the net against the world No.131.

A rainy day at Stade Roland-Garros proved tricky for many of the outside courts, though Ons Jabeur managed a win, while former major champion Sofia Kenin beat home hope Caroline Garcia.

The rankings after Roland-Garros (on 10 June) will serve as the final standings for the coming Olympic Games Paris 2024, which are also set to be held at the Stade Roland-Garros site.

More to come.