PARIS — World No. 1 Iga Świątek delivered a masterclass performance at the French Open, dismantling Emma Raducanu in straight sets (6-2, 6-1) before taking a subtle yet pointed jab at the British star’s "predictable" game plan during their post-match handshake.
The defending champion needed just 68 minutes to dispatch Raducanu, extending her Roland Garros winning streak to 19 matches. Świątek’s dominance was evident from the first game, as she broke Raducanu’s serve three times in the opening set. The Pole later admitted she had studied Raducanu’s recent matches closely, calling her opponent’s tactics "too one-dimensional to trouble me on clay."
A Chilly Exchange at the Net
The match concluded with a notably brief handshake, during which Świątek offered little more than a nod to Raducanu. Tennis analysts immediately noted the frosty interaction, with former champion Mats Wilander commenting, "That wasn’t just focus—that was a statement. Iga doesn’t do that unless she’s making a point."
When pressed in her post-match press conference, Świątek doubled down: "Emma plays beautiful tennis, but today she didn’t adapt. It’s hard to respect a game that doesn’t evolve." Raducanu, for her part, shrugged off the remark, telling reporters, "Iga’s the best in the world. I’ll learn from this."
Tactical Breakdown: Why Raducanu Struggled
Świątek’s dominance wasn’t just psychological—it was technical. Raducanu’s aggressive baseline style, which works on faster surfaces, played directly into the Pole’s hands. Key issues included:
- Lack of variety: Raducanu attempted only 3 drop shots and 2 net approaches in the entire match.
- Second-serve vulnerability: She won just 28% of points on her second serve.
- Forehand errors: 12 unforced errors came from that wing alone.
ESPN’s Pam Shriver observed: "Emma kept trying to out-hit Iga from the baseline, which is like bringing a knife to a gunfight on clay. Świątek’s heavy topspin and movement exposed the gaps in Raducanu’s clay-court IQ."
The Numbers Tell the Story
A statistical comparison highlights the gulf between the two players:
- Winners: Świątek 22, Raducanu 9
- Break points converted: Świątek 5/7 (71%), Raducanu 1/2 (50%)
- Rally length (5+ shots): Świątek won 68% of these exchanges
Historical Context: Świątek’s Clay Supremacy
With this win, Świątek improved her career record at Roland Garros to 34-2. Since 2020, she’s lost just one set in the first week of the tournament. Her dominance echoes Rafael Nadal’s early career on clay, with analysts noting:
- She’s won 92% of her service games this season on clay
- Her average forehand RPM (3,200) is the highest on tour
- Opponents have taken more than 4 games in a set just twice in her last 20 matches
Former coach Piotr Sierzputowski told Tennis Channel: "Iga studies opponents like a chess master. She knew Emma would rely on flat drives, so she used heavy topspin to push her back. It was a textbook demolition."
What’s Next for Both Players?
Świątek advances to face 30th seed Dayana Yastremska, against whom she holds a 2-0 record. Raducanu, meanwhile, faces questions about her clay-court development. Though she’s risen to No. 165 after injury struggles, this loss revealed persistent gaps:
- 0-8 record vs. top-10 players since her 2021 US Open win
- Just 3 career wins on clay against top-50 opposition
British Davis Cup captain Leon Smith offered a measured take: "Emma’s still rebuilding. Today showed the mountain to climb, but she’s got the work ethic to adapt." For Świątek, the path to a potential fourth French Open title looks increasingly clear—especially if rivals continue to play what she calls "predictable tennis."