Nadal inspires Iga in opening test

Story of the match

More content to let an imposing Roland-Garros record put an opponent on edge, it is not in the four-time winner’s nature to talk a big game.

Sramkova knew from experience what to expect having scrounged just two games from Swiatek when they last met in the second round at Rod Laver Arena this year, but neither had set the world alight since their respective Melbourne Park exits.

The Slovak hadn’t won back-to-back matches since February and while Swiatek has reached the quarter-finals in seven tournaments this year, she has not reached a final since her Roland-Garros triumph a year ago.

That air of invincibility even on the surface she has dominated like no other in recent years has taken a heavy hit.

Not oblivious to her opponent’s struggles, Sramkova came out with an added spring in her step and stood toe-to-toe with the No.5 seed through the opening six games before Swiatek pulled the trigger when she needed to most – a sharp angled backhand winner sealed the set after 43 minutes.

The wind wasn’t in her sails by any means yet. Sramkova enjoyed a late-blooming second half to 2024 from outside the top 100 to inside the top 50 following a first singles title in Hua Hin as well as two other finals.

While yet to take a set off a top 10 opponent in her past four attempts, she gave herself a fair shot when she bolted to a 3-1 lead in the second set.

Opening up a lead and sustaining it against a champion so at home in that arena are two vastly different prospects. A day after sending off Rafael Nadal from the stands, Swiatek did as her idol so often did on that court, knuckling down and reeling off the final five games for a clash against 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu.

First-round dominance grows

The only woman this decade to have reached the second round at every major she played, Swiatek joked at this year’s Australian Open she wished she never contested Wimbledon in 2019 so that first-round bungle would not have ruined an otherwise flawless record.

That Grand Slam first round record improved to 24-1 on Monday, which ties her with Mary Pierce, Gabriella Sabatini and Francoise Durr in the Open era.

Her 36th main draw win in Paris was the most of any current woman and came on the back of 16 forehand and four backhand winners, two more than her opponent.

She committed just 17 unforced errors to Sramkova’s 22 and claimed 70 per cent of first-serve points to her opponent’s 54 per cent.

Swiatek’s assessment

On Sramkova’s performance: “For sure it wasn't an easy match especially because she played with a lot of freedom and I felt like she was going for her shots, especially the forehands down the line. I knew I needed to stay proactive and try to create and use my weapons and that's what I did.”

Early Rome exit means more time to prepare in Paris: “It was the first time I had a situation like that, but I liked it because I love being here so I remember thinking where to go. This seemed like the best idea because I just love Paris and knew I was going to have the best courts in the world to practise on.”

How she managed to contain herself during Nadal's send-off: "I tried to keep it together, so I just don't look bad. I knew that the cameras were on Carlos (Alcaraz) behind me so I just needed to be brave, but seeing Rafa crying also makes you more emotional.

“It's nice that he shows emotions that way and he shows us that he's human and I really liked what Roland-Garros did yesterday, especially the footprint there. I'm happy that it's going to stay here forever … It's great that the whole tennis world could kind of come together and show our appreciation and tell Rafa we're really thankful for everything that he did and so many emotions that he gave us when we watched. He's a huge inspiration, even when he's not playing, even being here yesterday inspired me a lot."