Iga Swiatek became the 2023 French Open champion as expected on Saturday, but she really had to work for it.
The world No. 1 led by a set and 3-0 before Karolina Muchova stormed back and led 2-0 in the deciding set. But Swiatek showed her resolve, fighting back again and finally clinching victory when Muchova double-faulted to give Swiatek a 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 win after 2 hours, 46 minutes of enthralling clay-court tennis.
It’s the third French Open title for Swiatek and her fourth Grand Slam title in all, cementing her status as the world No. 1. It was the first time she has dropped a set in her four finals, but she’s just the third woman in the Open era to win her first four Slam finals, joining Monica Seles and Naomi Osaka.
Muchova, trying to become part of a long list of Czech women who have won Grand Slams, including Jana Novotna, Petra Kvitova and Barbora Krejcikova (the winner two years ago), lit up this year’s French Open with her variety, rushing the net in the style of players past.
At 4-4 in the third, it looked like Muchova, 26, might get the break to lead, but at the last moment, her forehand deserted her and a double-fault, just her third of the match, handed Swiatek victory. The 22-year-old Swiatek fell to her haunches for…
