Poland’s world-beater Iga Swiatek takes her winning tally to 31 matches after defeating Danka Kovinic at Roland Garros; Swiatek is closing in fast on Serena Williams’ mark of 34 straight wins in 2013; Paula Badosa and Aryna Sabalenka crash outWorld No 1 and hot title favourite Iga Swiatek continued her remarkable winning streak as she defeated Montenegro’s Danka Kovinic 6-3 7-5 to reach the fourth round at Roland Garros on Saturday.
The 20-year-old, who is unbeaten since last February, has also won 46 of her last 47 sets after claiming titles on clay courts in Stuttgart and Rome.”I wanted to play aggressively but maybe putting too much power and her balls were so powerful so it was tough to handle at full speed. I had to take fewer risks but she did a great job defending,” said Swiatek, who took her winning tally to 31 matches.
“She was serving with precision so it was tricky to see where she was going to serve but I have played heavy hitters before, although it was a bit hard to adjust at the beginning.”
Sponsored Links
Recommended byWhat is Outbrain
Trending
Fury beats Paul by split decision – as it happened
Fury edges out Paul on a split decision | ‘This is my destiny, my fate!’
Ten Hag: Risk to take Man Utd job? I’m stubborn | This can be our inspiration
Papers: Man Utd and Spurs circle for Brentford’s Raya
Why it is only the beginning for Ten Hag’s Man Utd
Man Utd vs Newcastle player ratings: Casemiro the hero again
NZ five down but lead England by 99 at lunch LIVE!
Transfer Centre LIVE! Dortmund keen to extend Bellingham contract
Potter’s Chelsea going backwards – how long will owners’ support continue?
Paul to force Fury rematch: ‘I felt flat. I got sick’ | ‘Bring it.
Swiatek began brightly and broke for 2-0 on her sixth opportunity but Kovinic, the world No 95, managed to break back in the seventh game as her heavy forehand began to cause the Pole problems. Kovinic’s efforts took their toll as she lost four consecutive games to allow the world No 1 to move 4-1 up. But she found some unsuspected resources to break back twice before moving 5-4 up after winning 11 points in a row.
Facing the prospect of dropping her first set in the tournament, Swiatek found better angles to level for 5-5 and she then broke decisively when Kovinic misfired a forehand. Whipping the ball with poise, Swiatek wrapped it up on her second match point to set up a meeting against home favourite Chinese teenager Qinwen Zheng for a place in the quarter-finals on Monday.
The 19-year-old went through after Alize Cornet had to tearfully retire injured at 6-0 3-0 down.
Swiatek remains only one of top 10 seeds left
