Chris Evert is unconvinced about how Iga Swiatek will react at the French Open following Rome disappointment
Iga Swiatek crashed out of the Italian Open after losing to Danielle Collins in straight sets in the third round.
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Iga Swiatek and Chris Evert (via X/Tennis.com)
Iga Swiatek suffered a significant dip in form after exiting in the early rounds of the Italian Open. The loss marked the end of the Polish star’s streak of 165 consecutive weeks inside the Top since she first rose to World No.2 in March 2022. American legend Chris Evert revealed that she doubts Swiatek’s capability to defend the French Open.
Out of Swiatek’s 22 career titles, 10 have come on clay. Four of the 10 titles have come at the French Open, three in Rome, two at the WTA 500 tournament in Stuttgart, and one in the WTA 1000 in Madrid. The 23-year-old has dominated the clay court in recent years than any other player in the women’s circuit.
But this season, she hasn’t replicated the dominance. She lost to Jelena Ostapenko in her opening clay tournament in Stuttgart, and then was completely blown away by Coco Gauff in the semi-finals of the Madrid, losing 1-6, 1-6 to the American. At the Italian Open, she was eliminated by Danielle Collins in straight sets to end her hopes of a title defense.
Chris Evert was asked after the match whether there was any likelihood that Swiatek would bounce back and win the French Open. The American legend admitted that she doesn’t see how the former World No.1 will win the clay-court Grand Slam title.
I don’t know how you can pick anybody between [Aryna] Sabalenka, Iga and Coco, and with Madison Keys really to me would be my fourth pick. I just don’t know how Iga is going to react. That, to me, is the unknown. We know what she is capable of, and with her past records, she’s brilliant at the French Open, but I just don’t know if she can find her A game, because she’s going to need it…It’s kind of like we’re seeing her C game right now.
Chris Evert said via Forbes
Evert then added that she’s worried about the current form. Swiatek, who is a five-time Grand Slam champion, has not won any title or reached the final of any event since the 2024 Roland Garros.
I’m worried about it every day. When I put my head under the pillow I’m worried about Iga. I think Iga will end up on double digits. I don’t just think she will beat my record here. I think it’s double digits.
Chris Evert said
The only active players to win the French Open are Swiatek, Ostapenko, and Barbara Krejcikova. Aryna Sabalenka has only reached ye semi-finals once in her career, while Gauff finished as runners-up to Swiatek in 2022.
Jim Courier hailed Danielle Collins for her display against Iga Swiatek
Despite Iga Swiatek’s flawed performance in her third-round loss at the Italian Open, Danielle Collins’ strategy to nullify the Pole throughout the match has now been recognized. The American applied a dangerous tactic of shooting to the right and left baselines of Swiatek, while also striking the ball hard. Jim Courier hailed the dangerous tactics in a conversation, revealing that Collins played awesome with it.
This was a match where the head-to-head was very much in Swiatek’s favour. But Collins has that striking capabilities and she was playing high risk, high awesome level tennis and there is nothing anyone can do, let alone Swiatek, who can do as much as anybody on this surface. It was a lot of changing direction and keeping her off her front foot and Iga was just a passenger for much of this match. Collins was just awesome all day long.
Jim Courier said via Tennis Channel
On Tuesday (May 12), Collins exited from the Italian Open after losing to Elina Svitolina 4-6, 2-6 in the round of 16. However, the American will remain in the top 40 in the WTA as a loss to Swiatek would have seen her drop further in the WTA rankings.
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