“The Great Escape,” Iga Swiatek wins a thrilling 3-setter against Naomi Osaka after being 5-2 in the final set, fans react

Iga Swiatek survived a Naomi Osaka scare to advance to the third round of the 2024 French Open.

“The Great Escape,” Iga Swiatek wins a thrilling 3-setter against Naomi Osaka after being 5-2 in the final set, fans react

Iga Swiatek and Naomi Osaka embrace after their match (via Imago)

World No.1 Iga Swiatek overcame a huge scare to fend off Naomi Osaka’s challenge in the second round of Roland Garros. The defending champion saved a match point to win the match 7-6, 1-6, 7-5.

When the draws came out for this year’s Roland Garros, the fans were told that Alexander Zverev vs. Rafael Nadal would be the match to look forward to. However, it was the battle between the World No.1 and the former World No.1 from the ladies’ circuit that grabbed everyone’s attention.

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Swiatek started off well and had a lead in the first set at 4-2. However, Osaka had come to play, and she broke back to let her opponent know that she hadn’t come to the court to lay down the carpet for her.

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The World No.1 saved a set point at 4-5 but dominated the tiebreaker, winning seven points to one. The second set was pure dominance from Osaka, who won six of the seven games to level the scores. The former World No.1 had a match point in the ninth game when she was serving for the match, but Swiatek rallied to win five straight games and stay on course for a three-peat at this year’s French Open.

Tennis fans salute Iga Swiatek and Naomi Osaka for their outstanding display

As soon as Naomi Osaka sent the backhand wide on Iga Swiatek’s match point, tennis fans from around the world jumped to X to show their emotions. The fans have been overwhelmed by the fantastic level of tennis displayed by both players.

Iga Swiatek
Iga Swiatek after winning her match against Naomi Osaka (via Imago)

Check out some reactions here:

This was just the third match that Osaka and Swiatek have played against each other, with both players winning one each. Their first encounter was at the 2019 Canadian Open, where the Japanese star won 7-6, 6-4. However, Swiatek turned the tables in the 2022 Miami final, winning 6-4, 6-0.

Considering the uncertainty around Osaka’s future, fans never know whether this will be the last time the two tennis titans play against each other. However, if it ends up being their last match, it was memorable and had everything.

Osaka said in the buildup to this match that she would never allow negativity to affect her feelings and expectations due to the size of the task. The former World No.1 certainly played like it. If she maintains this level in the future, she will be a contender again in the biggest tournaments.

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