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Iga Swiatek French Open 2021
Roland Garros, Tennis News, WTA Tennis Players

Swiatek out! Heavy title favourite falls to Sakkari at French Open


Iga Swiatek, defending champion and odds-on player to claim the French Open, was defeated by 17th seed Maria Sakkari in a massive shock result.

Sakkari first stunned the Pole by taking the opening set 6-4, breaking Swiatek’s run of 22 consecutive set wins at Roland Garros, a run which began in the first round of the 2020 tournament.

Sakkari backed up the set immediately, breaking Swiatek to start the second before holding for 2-0.

Swiatek then made use of a medical timeout, leaving the court before returning to hold her serve twice and bring the set to 3-2 Sakkari.

The Greek remained unphased though, securing a hold to love for 4-2 in the second set, eventually serving out the match for a 6-4, 6-4 victory, arguably the biggest of her career so far.

Maria Sakkari came into the tournament having never progressed past the fourth round of a Slam, and had never surpassed the third round at Roland Garros, reaching the stage twice, in 2018 and 2020.

Sakkari will next face fellow Slam singles semi-final debutant Barbora Krejcikova in the last four after the Czech defeated 17-year-old American Coco Gauff in straight sets also.


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