In case there was any doubt, there’s Iga Swiatek, celebrating and leaping continuous, with loads of vitality to proceed enjoying till tomorrow, if crucial. But not. Now, per week earlier than the beginning sign at Roland Garros, the Pole's essential activity is none apart from to take nice care of her physique, as a result of the work is finished and the bottom is greater than consolidated. That is to say, if beforehand she was already the nice favourite, as we speak she is even somewhat extra so. She will arrive primary in Paris giving off the sensation that one thing very unusual must occur there in order that she doesn’t obtain success, with out leaving apart the traps that each nice particular person hides, after all, however extra imposing and intimidating if attainable. She beat Aryna Sabalenka two weeks in the past on the Caja Mágica and she or he does it once more on the Foro Italico, witnessing a one-way last: 6-2 and 6-3 (in 1h 29m).
The Belarusian, two on the earth, sighs and twists her face time and again: there isn’t any manner, what a torment, unimaginable to tickle her. Opposite, pure granite faculty, a tennis participant who’s gaining prominence and who ought to deviate lots in order to not find yourself marking an period, as a result of she has already taken that path. Swiatek, 22 years previous, all vigor and all consistency, emerges with all his splendor on the gates of touchdown in Paris, the place he’ll land because the undisputed participant to beat. There are 4 titles this yr – Doha, Indian Wells, Madrid and Rome -, 21 already of their showcases, 4 of them nice, three at Roland Garros, the identical quantity in Rome. If the masculine territory suggests a really open version, zero certainties, the female proposes a collective demolition train: all in opposition to Iga, so simple as that. She is there, and a number of other physique lengths away from the others. She certifies this final episode.
Sabalenka hits and hits to the purpose of desperation, however time and again the tough actuality imposed by Swiatek hits. The Warsaw one turns into a denial and doesn’t permit debate: it thwarts the seven break choices out there to his rival and sentences by means of the chilly actuality of numbers; She makes eight errors, in comparison with the Belarusian's 28, with whom she has begun to construct a gorgeous rivalry. There are 11 chapters since November 2021, now 8-3 in favor of the champion, now the youngest tennis participant to win ten trophies within the 1000 class, for the reason that introduction of the format in 2009. Serena Williams dominated — she achieved it at 32 years previous — and Victoria Azarenka —with 31—. At the identical time, Swiatek is the third to handle to hyperlink Madrid and Rome, after Dinara Safina (2009) and Serena (2013).
The unknown, then, is to test how far his indissoluble train and that overwhelming tennis-control will go, and if there’s any opponent who can pose actual issues for him within the Bois de Boulogne. It doesn't appear easy. In Madrid, the peak favored the open grave proposal of Sabalenka, who had three balls to take the title, however within the Foro Italico, extra much like the Parisian file, the duel runs from begin to end in a straight line, like her likes. Clay courtroom is a matter of head, energy and legs, and the Pole brings all of it collectively: she doesn’t blink, she is able to returning the ball from very tough positions and in protection, with the slowdown of the ball, she is virtually unapproachable. This is how she marks territory, whereas the prophecy of the Australian Ashleigh Barty upon her departure, in 2022, continues to return true: “There is no one better to be the next number one.” And she applies herself, 103 weeks already on the high.
with 4 majors within the file, the identical as Arantxa Sánchez Vicario, Kim Clijsters and Naomi Osaka, now factors out the 5 of Maria Sharapova and Martina Hingis. “Thank you for making me improve,” she addresses Sabalenka, who regrets, ruminates – nearly as many trophies (14) as misplaced finals (13) – and will get as much as battle once more in Paris. Swiatek will probably be ready for you impatiently there. In case there was any doubt.
You can comply with EL PAÍS Deportes in Facebook y Xclick on right here to obtain our weekly e-newsletter.
https://elpais.com/deportes/tenis/2024-05-18/a-las-puertas-de-paris-intimida-swiatek.html