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Swiatek *3-1 Muchova (*denotes next server)
Are we on our way to another bagel from Swiatek? Now we aren’t! Muchova is playing well but the board tells a different story. Such a great rally between these two, both sending each other around the court but it ends with Muchova hitting the net. She must hold her serve here. Swiatek makes her first unforced error of the match and the crowd get behind Muchova before she serves again. Muchova waits under a high ball and looks certain to hit a winner but she smacks the net! A groan from the crowd. An ace levels the game 30-30. The drop shot this time is read well by Swaitek but Muchova hits it back and she lobs the Polish star to win the point. She is just one point away from holding serve and there we are!
Swiatek 3-0* Muchova (*denotes next server)
Muchova’s return smacks the net and another unforced error puts Swiatek 30-0 up. Muchova just pushes the ball too far on her return and Swiatek is a point away from holding her serve again. There it is with another unforced error from Muchova.
Swiatek breaks early! Swiatek *2-0 Muchova (*denotes next server)
Muchova’s first serve works well, Swiatek’s return is out. Swiatek makes a great shot, returning Muchova’s volley to level 15-15. The world number one returns the serve well and Muchova can’t hit it in. And again she puts it out to give Swiatek break point and she takes it on her first opportunity.
Iga Swiatek is pictured in action through a glass barrier. Photograph: Kai Pfaffenbach/ReutersSwiatek 1-0* Muchova (*denotes next server)
An unforced error starts this final from Muchova and her return from a long rally is too long. Swiatek is precise with every shot, she is so consistent and the unforced error count for her will be low and so Muchova needs to limit hers as much as possible. What a shot from Swiatek! She directs the ball around the court, forcing Muchova to run around, she then places a perfect ball to go 40-0 up. But hello that is amazing from Muchova, she uses that affective drop shot which worked so well in the semi-final and Swiatek can’t get to it. And she uses it again! Swiatek tries to catch Muchova out with a drop shot but she makes up the space and pops the ball just over the net! 40-30. But Swiatek takes the first game with a shot just out of play.
Here we go then! We are underway, a lot of fans have filtered in so not as sparse. Let’s hope for a tight battle between these two!
The coin toss and I think Swiatek has won, choosing to serve first. This final is imminent!
Here come the players! Muchova is out on court first and is greeted with a cheer from the supporters who are in their seast. Swiatek is next, she walks out with headphones on to block out the noise. The different approach is interesting.
Swiatek is yet to drop a set at this year’s French Open, will she win in straight sets today? We will find out soon!
The court looks quite sparse of fans at the moment, I’m hoping they are just grabbing drinks ahead of this final. They shouldn’t miss out, it will be a cracking match!
Here’s a piece on how the final may play out this afternoon:
The battle commences soon:
Muchova will not only have to overcome the world number one in Swiatek but also the top seeded player at the slam. The Czech player entered the tournament unseeded so it would be an upset if she claimed the title.
Here is a fun fact for you Muchova is the fourth-lowest ranked player to reach the women’s singles final at Roland Garros. She is ranked world number 43.
Muchova has spoken about her playing style ahead of her clash with Swiatek, saying: “I don’t really want to be like anyone else. It’s the type of game I enjoy and believe in. We are trying to improve it with the team. Now we can see that it works, so that’s nice. I’ll keep it this way.”
Swiatek has said of her opponent ahead of the final: “I feel I know Karolina’s game anyway because I played many practices with her since 2019 and I also watch her more than most of the players. I really like her game. I really respect her and she’s a player who can do anything. She has great touch. She can also speed up the game. She plays with that kind of freedom in her movements and she has a great technique. I feel like I know her game pretty well.”
Photograph: Andy Cheung/Getty ImagesPreambleWelcome to the women’s singles French Open final. Two weeks of hard graft comes down to this. World number one Iga Swiatek takes on world number 43 Karolina Muchova for the slam crown.
Previous to making this final, the furthest Muchova had gone in a slam was to the semi-finals of the Australian Open in 2021. Swiatek, on the other hand, has won three slam titles, including two French Opens. She is the defending champions at the Roland Garros and will be fighting to keep her title.
It is a slight David v Goliath but we all know how that story turned out and it is a slam – anything could happen. Let me know your prediction of today’s match and where you are watching via Twitter or email.
We will have some build-up ahead of the scheduled start time of 2pm BST so stay tuned for everything you need to know ahead of this final.