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Opponent ‘did not give Swiatek any gifts’ as Pole through at French Open


Defending French Open champion Iga Swiatek has come through in straight sets, defeating  Kaja Juvan in the first round in Paris.

Iga Swiatek got off to a strong start in defence of her French Open title, defeating good friend Kaja Juvan 6-0, 7-5 in just under 90 minutes on-court.

“On one hand it’s normal because your [just] going to the next tournament, the next match,” Swiatek said of walking onto court as defending champion.

“but, you never know what’s gonna happen and I’ve never been a defending champion [before], even at the smallest tournaments.

“So, yeah, I didn’t know what to expect.”

The Pole, who turns 20 today, looked very comfortable up 6-0, 3-1 on her serve, before Juvan broke back to 3-2. Swiatek then had multiple break-back chances on the Slovenian’s serve but failed to convert as the set continued on serve.

 

 

A drawn-out Swiatek service game at 5-5 brought up two break point chances for Juvan, but the eighth-seeded Pole eventually powered through to a 6-5 lead before Juvan herself endured a game that took over nine minutes to complete.

Swiatek finally secured the match at the fourth time of asking, before embracing Juvan at the net.

“In the second set it was really really hard,” Swiatek added about the match. “[Juvan] used every chance she had basically.

“She didn’t give me any birthday gifts. So, I’m really happy I could win those important points and just step-by-step go further.”

Iga Swiatek will face either Rebecca Peterson or Shelby Rogers in the second round.


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