7 top performers at 2022 French Open ft. Casper Ruud and Coco Gauff

Coco Gauff and Casper Ruud impressed during the French Open

The 2022 French Open came to an end with Rafael Nadal winning his 22nd Grand Slam title by beating Casper Ruud 6-3, 6-3, 6-0 in the men's singles final. It was the Spaniard's 14th crown at Roland Garros and one that many did not expect given his fitness struggles in the lead-up to the tournament.

Iga Swiatek's dominance continued in the women's singles competition as she beat Coco Gauff in the final to win her second Major and sixth successive title of the season. With 35 straight wins, the Pole is level with Venus Williams for the longest unbeaten streak on the WTA tour this century.

The last two weeks have provided us with sensational tennis action and brilliant performances from a number of players, some of whom enjoyed their finest runs at a Grand Slam.

So without further ado, let's take a look at the seven top performers at this year's French Open:

#7 Leylah Fernandez

The US Open runner-up entered the French Open as the 17th seed and reached the third round after defeating Kristina Mladenovic and Katerina Siniakova in straight sets.

Fernandez edged out 14th seed Belinda Bencic in three sets before beating Amanda Anisimova 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 to reach her second Grand Slam quarterfinal. She was eventually ousted by the unseeded Martina Trevisan.

As a result of her run to the last eight of the French Open, the Canadian rose to 15th in the WTA rankings. Fernandez's game is maturing and there is no doubt that she will produce some splendid tennis in the years to come.

#6 Daria Kasatkina

Daria Kasatkina's ranking took a nosedive in 2019, but she managed to return to the top 20 before this year's French Open. The Russian entered the tournament on the back of a semi-final run at the Italian Open.

The 25-year-old was dominant throughout the opening rounds, registering comprehensive victories over Rebecca Sramkova, Fernanda Contreras Gomez and Shelby Rogers. Kasatkina then defeated Camila Giorgi 6-2, 6-2 to reach her third Grand Slam quarterfinal.

Kasatkina got the better of compatriot Veronika Kudermetova in straight sets to make the semifinals of a Major for the first time in her career. However, she was beaten by the irrepressible Swiatek.

The 25-year-old's exploits at Roland Garros saw her climb eight spots to 12th in the WTA rankings. Given Kasatkina's recent performances, she stands a fair chance of breaking into the top 10 soon.

#5 Alexander Zverev

The World No. 3 entered the French Open after reaching at least the semifinals of all the Masters 1000 tournaments on clay this season. Zverev had little trouble beating Sebastian Offner in the first round before surviving a scare from Sebastian Baez in the second.

The German beat Brandon Nakashima and Bernabe Zapata Miralles in straight sets to set up a quarter-final clash against Carlos Alcaraz. Zverev beat the Spaniard in four sets to reach the semifinals of the French Open for the second straight year. His victory over Alcaraz was his first over a top-10 player at a Grand Slam.

Against Rafael Nadal, the German had four set points in the opening set. However, the Spaniard saved all of them before winning the set. Zverev and Nadal fought a tight second set, which went to a tie-break. Unfortunately for the World No. 3, he severely injured his ankle during a rally and was forced to retire from the match.

Zverev has damaged several ligaments and is expected to be out of action for six to eight weeks.

So sad to see some elite athlete exit the court like this, #Zverev was playing a match of his lifetime, hope he is able to recover fully after this horrific injury.

#RolandGarros https://t.co/j3FiL4aSPH

#4 Casper Ruud

Casper Ruud is always expected to do well on clay, having won six titles on the surface since 2021. The Norwegian lived up to expectations at the French Open. He did not have it easy though as he had to get past the experienced Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in four sets before surviving an almighty scare from Lorenzo Sonego in the third round.

Ruud beat 12th seed Hubert Hurkacz to reach his first Grand Slam quarterfinal. He then defeated Holger Rune to set up a semi-final clash with Marin Cilic. The 23-year-old came back from a set down to beat the Croat and become the first Norwegian to reach a Grand Slam singles final.

However, Ruud was no match for Rafael Nadal, going down in straight sets to the King of Clay. Nonetheless, it was a fine display from the 23-year-old who attained a career-high ranking of No. 6 after the tournament.

#3 Coco Gauff

No player faced more heartbreak at the 2022 French Open than Coco Gauff. But the American was sure to leave her mark on the tournament. She reached the quarterfinals at Roland Garros for the second straight year after beating Rebecca Marino, Alison van Uytvanck, Kaia Kanepi and Elise Mertens.

Gauff then defeated good friend and compatriot Sloane Stephens to reach her maiden Grand Slam semifinal. She got the better of Martina Trevisan in straight sets to make a Major singles final for the first time in her career.

Unfortunately, Gauff lost to Swiatek in straight sets and would also lose the women's doubles final a day later. Nonetheless, the 18-year-old put on a spirited display throughout the competition and there is little doubt that she will achieve great things on the tennis court and beyond.

#2 Iga Swiatek

The World No. 1 was the heavy favorite to win the women's singles title given her dominant run of form over the past few months. Swiatek started with crushing victories over Lesia Tsurenko and Alison Riske. She then beat Danka Kovinic to set up a last-16 clash against Zheng Qinwen. The Pole had to fight back from a set down to beat the Chinese teenager and reach the quarterfinals.

She then defeated Jessica Pegula in straight sets before trouncing Daria Kasatkina to make her second Grand Slam final. Swiatek beat Coco Gauff 6-1, 6-3 to win her second Major and extend her winning streak to 35 matches, which is the joint-highest on the WTA tour this century.

🏆 INVINCIBLE IGA 🏆

🇵🇱 @iga_swiatek defeats Gauff 6-1, 6-3 to claim her second career #RolandGarros title with a 35th consecutive victory! https://t.co/V99DalzqH3

#1 Rafael Nadal

There were serious doubts regarding Rafael Nadal's participation in the French Open after his chronic foot injury flared up in Rome. However, the Spaniard once again proved why he is the greatest competitor to grace Roland Garros.

Nadal started strongly with straight-set wins over Jordan Thompson, Corentin Moutet and Botic van de Zandschulp. He then survived a scare from Felix Auger-Aliassime to reach the quarterfinals. The King of Clay saved his best tennis for his match against great rival Novak Djokovic, beating the World No. 1 in four sets.

Nadal progressed to the final at Roland Garros after Alexander Zverev was forced to retire due to a severe ankle injury. Up against Casper Ruud in the championship match, Nadal thrashed the Norwegian to win a record-extending 14th French Open and 22nd Grand Slam title.