Iga Swiatek is safely through to the third round of Roland Garros, following a routine win over Sara Bejlek.
The Pole continued her search for a fifth French Open title in style, defeating the Czech in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3.
Having performed as well as she has so far in Paris, and given her history at the event, there is no doubt that Swiatek is one of the favourites to lift the trophy.
Which WTA player impressed you the most in the first round of Roland Garros?
Safely through to round two!
And her chances keep improving…
Iga Swiatek won’t have to play Jelena Ostapenko at the French Open
Fans of Swiatek were concerned when the draw was made, as she faced a potential third-round clash with Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko, the 2017 French Open champion.
Ostapenko has dominated her rivalry with Swiatek, causing the Pole more problems than anyone else on tour.
The 28-year-old leads their head-to-head 6-0, having beaten Swiatek on all three surfaces.
Iga Swiatek and Jelena Ostapenko’s head-to-head record (0-6)
| Match | Winner | Loser | Score |
| 2025 Stuttgart Open – QF | Jelena Ostapenko | Iga Swiatek | 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 |
| 2025 Qatar Open – SF | Jelena Ostapenko | Iga Swiatek | 6-3, 6-1 |
| 2023 US Open – 4R | Jelena Ostapenko | Iga Swiatek | 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 |
| 2022 Dubai Tennis Championships – 2R | Jelena Ostapenko | Iga Swiatek | 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 |
| 2021 Indian Wells – 4R | Jelena Ostapenko | Iga Swiatek | 6-4, 6-3 |
| 2019 Birmingham Classic – 1R | Jelena Ostapenko | Iga Swiatek | 6-0, 6-2 |
Had they met in the French Open third round, you would have been brave to bet against Ostapenko improving her record to 7-0.
Unfortunately for Ostapenko and fortunately for Swiatek, we won’t see the seventh instalment of their rivalry in Paris.
Ostapenko lost to another Pole, Magda Linette, in the second round, 2-6, 6-2, 2-6.
Before Linette’s win, TNT Sports pundit Mats Wilander commented on Swiatek’s potential third-round match against Ostapenko.
“I wonder if Iga [Swiatek] knows the draw, because she doesn’t like to look ahead and see who she’s playing, so I wonder if she does,” he said.
“Hopefully she doesn’t, because that’s a nightmare brewing.”
Avoiding the ‘nightmare’ match-up, Swiatek now has a clearer path to the French Open title.
“She’s going to be tough to beat,” said Wilander.
“I love the way she’s playing right now. She plays with more topspin on the forehand.
“I think the conditions we talk about, the heat and the temperature, really help here.
“She’s moving incredibly well.
“I know she hasn’t won a tournament for a while, but to me, she’s one of the favourites, because this is Roland Garros, she’s won here four times.
Iga Swiatek’s French Open titles
- 2020 French Open
- 2022 French Open
- 2023 French Open
- 2024 French Open
“She’s reached the third round again, I think that’s something like 20 Grand Slam tournaments in a row where she’s reached the third round, which is unbelievable.
“She’s going to be tough to beat, but I love the way she’s playing right now.
“I think the work with Francisco Roig is really working out.”
There is every chance Swiatek wins a fifth French Open title this year, but she won’t want to get ahead of herself.
Why Iga Swiatek should be wary of Magda Linette in the third round of the French Open
Avoiding Ostapenko was the goal, but Swiatek will be well aware of the problems Linette can cause her.
After all, Swiatek lost her most recent encounter with her countrywoman, at this year’s Miami Open.
- Miami Open 2R – Magda Linette defeated Iga Swiatek, 1-6, 7-5, 6-3
If the former world number one is to emerge victorious in the all-Polish affair, she will need to use every ounce of her French Open experience.
Otherwise, she may as well have played Ostapenko!
Should Swiatek advance past Linette, she can look forward to potential matches against Marta Kostyuk, Elina Svitolina, Elena Rybakina, and Aryna Sabalenka en route to the title.
Guided by a man of Francisco Roig’s experience, Swiatek will take things one step at a time and focus on taking down Linette first.
Swiatek will play Linette in the third round of the French Open on Friday, May 29.
