Iga Świątek dispatched Anastasia Potapova with two bagels (6:0, 6:0) in just 40 minutes to book a place in the quarterfinals at Roland Garros in Paris.
It was by far the shortest match at this year's French Open and the world number one lost only 10 points along the way.
Prior to Sunday, Potapova and Świątek had never faced each other in a WTA Tour-level match, but they do have a history.
They’ve been competing for more than a decade, dating back to their under 12’s days. At the Nations Challenge in Ajaccio, France, Potapova won in straight sets.
Prior to Sunday, Potapova and Świątek had never faced each other in a WTA Tour-level match, but they do have a history.
They’ve been competing for more than a decade, dating back to their under 12’s days. At the Nations Challenge in Ajaccio, France, Potapova won in straight sets.
A year later, at the Junior Orange Bowl International, they played a two-and-a-half-hour under 14’s semifinal that is still remembered. Potapova was down a match point, but Świątek made three consecutive errors and the Polish girl collapsed on the court, sobbing, while Potapova stood at the net waiting to shake hands.
Fast forward to the present, Potapova is, by any measure, a successful professional. She has won two tournaments, and is ranked No.41 among Hologic WTA Tour players.
Świątek, of course, is now the No.1-ranked player and seemingly poised to win her third consecutive French Open title and fourth in five years. That tantalizing possibility exists because Świątek was a remarkable 6-0, 6-0 winner on Court Philippe Chatrier.
Potapova won just three return points in the entire match. Toward the end, she was rolling her eyes and the support team in her box were shaking their heads.
Previously, Świątek’s shortest matches were against Simona Halep (45 minutes, Roland Garros 2019) and Karolina Pliskova (46 minutes, Rome 2021).
The first set was astonishing. Only 19 minutes had passed when a downcast-looking Potapova committed a double fault. Świątek won 24 of 30 points, hit seven winners, and was credited with only one unforced error.
The second set followed a very similar pattern, with Świątek winning 24 of 28 points.
Świątek will play No.5 seed Marketa Vondrousova in a Tuesday quarterfinal match after the Wimbledon champion came from 4-1 down in the first set to end the run of qualifier Olga Danilovic 6-4, 6-2.
Fast forward to the present, Potapova is, by any measure, a successful professional. She has won two tournaments, and is ranked No.41 among Hologic WTA Tour players.
Świątek, of course, is now the No.1-ranked player and seemingly poised to win her third consecutive French Open title and fourth in five years. That tantalizing possibility exists because Świątek was a remarkable 6-0, 6-0 winner on Court Philippe Chatrier.
On a cool, blustery day, Świątek played with a clinical fury that suggested she might have remembered those past defeats because the match was over in a flash.She's on fire 🔥#RolandGarros @iga_Świątek pic.twitter.com/F0AIBHSY5r
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 2, 2024
Potapova won just three return points in the entire match. Toward the end, she was rolling her eyes and the support team in her box were shaking their heads.
Previously, Świątek’s shortest matches were against Simona Halep (45 minutes, Roland Garros 2019) and Karolina Pliskova (46 minutes, Rome 2021).
The first set was astonishing. Only 19 minutes had passed when a downcast-looking Potapova committed a double fault. Świątek won 24 of 30 points, hit seven winners, and was credited with only one unforced error.
The second set followed a very similar pattern, with Świątek winning 24 of 28 points.
Świątek will play No.5 seed Marketa Vondrousova in a Tuesday quarterfinal match after the Wimbledon champion came from 4-1 down in the first set to end the run of qualifier Olga Danilovic 6-4, 6-2.
Source: TVP Sport, WTA Tennis
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