Elena Rybakina Says Iga Swiatek Has ‘All the Chances’ to Win Roland Garros After Pole’s Epic Comeback Win

Iga Swiatek improved her head-to-head lead over Elena Rybakina to 5-4, winning her third clash with the Kazakh ace this year.

Elena Rybakina Says Iga Swiatek Has ‘All the Chances’ to Win Roland Garros After Pole’s Epic Comeback Win

Iga Swiatek, Elena Rybakina (Image via X/Jimmie48 Photography, Sebastian G.)

The way Elena Rybakina dominated the first set on Sunday (June 1), the watchers of the game perhaps thought that Iga Swiatek would suffer a disappointing defeat in the fourth round of Roland Garros. Rybakina’s ball striking was incredible, and she did well to take advantage of Swiatek’s mistakes.

The five-time Grand Slam champion, on some occasions, was not reaching for the balls and committed errors one after the other. En route to trailing the Kazakh ace 6-1, 2-0, the three-time defending champion made 27 unforced errors.

Her level raised gradually in the second set, forcing a comeback. After leveling the scores, she did not look back and fought for every point. The third round was no different and Swiatek could not afford to lose her focus at this stage. She kept her composure and continued to win points in long rallies.

Rybakina tried her all, even took some risk with her shots when Swiatek was on the verge of winning, but it did not help much. The Pole eventually secured a berth in the quarterfinals with a 1-6, 6-3, 7-5 scoreline.

When the first set ended, Swiatek was expected to end her 24-match winning streak in about an hour. Because of Swiatek’s stunning turnaround, the match did not end before two hours and 30 minutes. After the match, Rybakina, at the press conference said Swiatek is the big favorite to win her fourth consecutive Roland Garros title.

I think these tough matches definitely give you more confidence. Especially when you get further in the draw, she has all the chances like everyone else. She played well in some key moments. She has great intensity. I think she has all the chances.

While Rybakina ended her trophy drought at the Strasbourg Open before the Roland Garros, Swiatek, now on a 25-match winning streak, entered the tournament without a title under her belt. The last title she lifted was here at Court Philippe-Chatrier in 2024 after breezing past Jasmine Paolini in the final.

Iga Swiatek admits she needed a hard-fought victory

Iga Swiatek for sure would be proud of herself after her hard-fought win. This gave her confidence that she could make a comeback from a tough situation. After the match, she said she did not want to lose the match without trying to give her all on the court.

Iga Swiatek (4)
Iga Swiatek (Image via X/The Tennis Letter)

This match confirms that I am in good form and can handle pressure in difficult moments. No matter the score, I’ve understood that I have to play my tennis, without fear of what might happen. Overcoming a challenge like this gives me a lot of morale and confidence.

Iga Swiatek said at the press conference

Swiatek now holds a 5-4 head-to-head lead over the 25-year-old. It was also her first win against Rybakina in their three encounters on clay. This is the first time Swiatek arrived in Paris without a title since 2020. The four-time French Open champion is now 39-2 in the tournament.

The next opponent is Elina Svitolina, the Ukrainian ace who upset Jasmine Paolini after saving three match points to schedule her career’s fifth meeting against the 24-year-old. In their four matches, Swiatek defeated the World No.14 thrice, including once on clay at the 2021 Italian Open. Svitolina’s lone victory came in the quarterfinal of the 2023 Wimbledon.

Iga Swiatek equals Monica Seles’ record

Swiatek, with 25 consecutive wins at Roland Garros, has equaled Monica Seles‘ record. She will tie the record with Bjorn Borg if she ends up lifting her historic fourth consecutive title in the clay-court Major.

Iga Swiatek
Iga Swiatek (Image via X/The Tennis Letter)

Before Borg, Chris Evert sits in the second spot with 29 consecutive wins. The first spot is occupied by King of Clay Rafael Nadal, the winner of 39 back-to-back matches.

Also read: (Video) Aryna Sabalenka Gatecrashes Novak Djokovic’s Interview on TNT Sports at Roland Garros