Agnieszka Radwanska LAVISHES massive praise on compatriot Iga Swiatek for her formidable French Open form, claims no other player is in her touching distance

But Agnieszka Radwanska believes the biggest threat to Swiatek in a quest to her being crowned Roland Garros champion for the third time will be herself and Sabalenka.

Agnieszka Radwanska LAVISHES massive praise on compatriot Iga Swiatek for her formidable French Open form, claims no other player is in her touching distance

Iga Swiatek, Agnieszka Radwanska (Images via Twitter)

Iga Swiatek is just two matches shy of her third Roland Garros title. In the semi-final, she will face Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia on Thursday (June 8) on Court Philippe-Chatrier. Maia became the first woman from Brazil since 1968 to reach the last four at Roland Garros. Also, Haddad Maia won her lone encounter against Swiatek in Toronto on the hard court last year.

In the quarter-final between Swiatek and Coco Gauff, fans expected a thrilling contest, however, it ended up being a one-sided match like the other. Swiatek eased past the American 6-4, 6-2 to advance to two consecutive semi-finals and improved her record at Roland Garros to 26-2. She became the youngest woman since Martina Hingis to reach three or more semi-finals at the French Open.

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The Pole clinched victories in all her previous round matches in straights and can become the first woman since Justine Henin in 2007 to defend her crown in Paris. Compatriot and former world No.2 Agnieszka Radwanska lavished praise on the 22-year-old, saying no player at present can match her levels.

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“I think she’s showing this kind of level that you can’t really see in any other players,” Radwanska told Roland Garros. “I don’t know how the girls have to play against her to even be close to winning a set. At the moment I don’t see any player playing at the same level as Iga.”

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Who can stop Iga Swiatek from clinching the third Roland Garros title?

Who can stop Iga Swiatek from clinching the third Roland Garros title?
Iga Swiatek, Beatriz Haddad Maia (Images via Twitter)

This year, the success has not come that much as per Swiatek’s lofty standard, despite her clinching two titles (Stuttgart and Doha) and appearing in two more finals. Elena Rybakina, Aryna Sabalenka, and Barbora Krejcikova stopped the 22-year-old from winning more titles.

Sabalenka will be squaring off against Karolina Muchova in the semi-final on Thursday. And if Sabalenka managed to emerge victorious and Swiatek also defeats Haddad Maia, then a blockbuster final between Swiatek and Sabalenka will be on the cards, on June 10.

But Agnieszka Radwanska believes the biggest threat to Swiatek in a quest to her being crowned Roland Garros champion for the third time will be herself and Sabalenka. “I think herself, the pressure on herself,” Radwanska said. “I think that’s her biggest threat and then I think Sabalenka. I don’t see anyone else to be honest.“

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