In a dramatic display of resilience, Iga Swiatek, the three-time defending French Open champion, battled through unprecedented conditions to secure her place in the 2025 Roland Garros semi-finals with a 6-1, 7-5 victory over Elina Svitolina on June 4. The Polish star, ranked world number five, faced a career-first challenge during the quarter-final match on Court Philippe-Chatrier, where swirling winds and airborne clay dust created a chaotic environment she described as “pretty crazy.” Despite the adversity, Swiatek’s mental fortitude and tactical adjustments propelled her into a blockbuster semi-final clash against top seed Aryna Sabalenka, reigniting one of the WTA’s fiercest rivalries.
The match against Svitolina was anything but straightforward. While Swiatek dominated the first set in just 30 minutes, the second set saw conditions deteriorate as gusty winds swept across the court, kicking up clouds of red clay that made visibility a struggle. “I have never played in such a wind,” Swiatek admitted in her post-match press conference, noting that the conditions were unlike anything she’d encountered in her career. “Honestly, when I played against the wind, or she did, we just had to stop for a second because there was so much clay in the air that you could not keep your eyes open.” This unique challenge tested Swiatek’s adaptability, as she adjusted her game to counter the unpredictable elements while maintaining her aggressive, topspin-heavy style.
Swiatek’s path to the quarter-finals had already showcased her clay-court mastery. Coming off a thrilling comeback against Elena Rybakina in the fourth round, where she battled back from a set and a break down to win 1-6, 6-3, 7-5, Swiatek carried momentum into her clash with Svitolina. The Ukrainian, seeded 13th, had staged her own comeback against last year’s finalist Jasmine Paolini, saving three match points to win 4-6, 7-6(8-6), 6-1. But against Swiatek, Svitolina faced an uphill battle, particularly in the first set, where the Pole’s relentless groundstrokes and pinpoint serving left little room for error. “She really pushed me,” Swiatek said of Svitolina, acknowledging the competitive spirit that made the second set a tighter affair.
The windy conditions reached their peak in the second set, disrupting both players’ rhythm. Swiatek, who has won four of the last five French Opens, described the experience as a departure from her usual dominance on clay. “In the first set it wasn’t that bad, and I think it kind of slowed down at the end of the match,” she noted, reflecting on how the wind intensified mid-match, forcing her to pause at times to clear her vision. Her ability to stay composed under pressure was pivotal, as she saved key points and broke Svitolina’s serve to clinch the set 7-5, extending her Roland Garros win streak to 25 matches. “It means a lot,” Swiatek said of the victory. “I needed that kind of win to feel these feelings that I’m able to win under pressure.”
This quarter-final triumph marked Swiatek’s fifth consecutive French Open semi-final, a testament to her dominance at Roland Garros, where she boasts a 35-2 career record. Her only losses in Paris came in the 2019 fourth round and the 2021 quarter-finals, underscoring her near-invincibility on the red clay. The victory over Svitolina, a seasoned competitor known for her tenacity, was a “great confirmation” for Swiatek, who has faced scrutiny this season after early exits in Stuttgart, Rome, and a doping-related suspension. “I felt like I was playing against Jannik Sinner,” she quipped, comparing Svitolina’s aggressive play in the first set to the men’s world number one.
Now, Swiatek turns her focus to Sabalenka, who advanced with a 7-6(7-3), 6-3 win over Qinwen Zheng. The Belarusian, who reclaimed the world number one ranking in 2025, has a storied rivalry with Swiatek, with the Pole leading 6-3 on clay, including a 2024 Italian Open final victory. “For sure it’s a great confirmation for me,” Swiatek said of her ability to turn matches around, a skill that will be crucial against Sabalenka’s powerful game. As the two prepare to battle under the Parisian lights, Swiatek’s ability to conquer the “crazy” conditions against Svitolina signals her readiness to chase a historic fourth consecutive French Open title, cementing her legacy as the modern queen of clay.
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