When you’re the world No. 1 like Iga Swiatek, it can seem like there’s nothing all that notable to accomplish. Even when you make incredible comebacks, the expectation was that you were supposed to win in the first place anyway.
But Sunday’s fourth-round 2024 French Open win was a marvel even for the best women’s tennis player in the world.
In defeating Russia’s Anastasia Potapova, Swiatek really flexed her muscles. The 23-year-old Polish star won the match 6-0, 6-0 in 40 minutes (!) and lost just a total of 10 points to advance to the quarterfinals. It was the shortest match of her already illustrious career by far.
That is absolutely astonishing, especially at this level of world-class tennis.
Iga Swiatek after beating Potapova 6-0 6-0 in 40 minutes to reach Roland Garros QF:
“I was just really focused and really in the zone.
“It went pretty quickly… pretty weird” 😂
pic.twitter.com/JqNKtZCxdJ— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) June 2, 2024
Swiatek’s performance was so dominant that it even shocked Coco Gauff, the current world No. 3. Gauff — who also advanced to the quarterfinals — had expected Swiatek to quickly dispatch her opponent. But not that fast!
Coco Gauff on the experience of playing the match after Iga Swiatek 😅 pic.twitter.com/jdMH6dDsbo
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) June 2, 2024
You know you’re doing something right when you’re even taking aback your elite peers with your play. It’s worth noting that should Swiatek and Gauff both advance again, they can meet in the quarterfinals next Thursday.
As for Swiatek, the Polish star is pursuing rare air. With another French Open title, the two-time reigning champion would become the youngest woman in the professional era to win four French Open singles titles. Swiatek is an astounding 32-2 Roland-Garros since her debut at the tournament in 2019.