"Maybe Naomi Osaka is going to be clay specialist in a while" - Iga Swiatek gives Japanese her flowers after surviving French Open scare
Iga Swiatek pulled off a stunning comeback win in the second round of the 2024 French Open, surviving a thriller against Naomi Osaka. After going down two breaks in the deciding set, the World No. 1 reeled off the last give games to overturn a 5-2 deficit and take a 7-6(1), 1-6, 7-5 win against the Japanese.
At her on-court interview, Swiatek was all praise for her opponent. The Pole admitted that the match was a lot tougher than she expected a second-round clash to be. She also hailed Osaka for risking it all and playing high-percentage tennis and was happy to see her back playing such an amazing game.
The 22-year-old, who is also the two-time defending champion at Roland Garros, further added that having seen the way Osaka played against her, she could soon become a clay specialist in a while.
"For sure this match was really intense. Much more intense for the 2nd round than I ever expected. I'll be more prepared for next time. Naomi played amazing tennis with loose hands and sometimes risking a lot but she was playing in.
"She played really, really great tennis ... maybe she is going to be claycourt specialist in a while. For sure I’m happy that she’s back and playing well," Iga Swiatek said.
Iga Swiatek leads the head-to-head against Naomi Osaka
Their battle at the 2024 French Open was the third meeting between Iga Swiatek and Naomi Osaka.
After losing their opener in 2019, Swiatek won their second meeting in the final of the Miami Open in 2022. Now, with the win in Paris, their first meeting on clay as well as their first in Grand Slams, Swiatek has the lead in her head-to-head with Naomi Osaka.
Up next, the four-time Grand Slam champion faces off against Jana Fett or Marie Bouzkova in the third round at Roland Garros. Further down the road, a potential quarterfinal clash with Danielle Collins could await the World No. 1. After that, she's projected to take on Coco Gauff in the semifinals and Aryna Sabalenka or Elena Rybakina in the final.
A title run this fortnight will secure a fourth French Open title for Swiatek, who has won in 2020, 2022 and 2023. It will also be her fifth Slam overall, with the 22-year-old having won the 2022 US Open as her only non-clay Major title.