Swiatek stages thrilling comeback as Svitolina upsets Paolini at French Open

World No. 1 Iga Swiatek kept her title defense alive at the French Open with a sensational comeback victory over Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina, as the tournament delivered another day of high drama on the clay courts of Roland Garros.

Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, came out firing and dominated the opening set 6-1, putting Swiatek on the back foot. But the three-time French Open winner showed her resilience and championship grit, clawing her way back to take the next two sets 6-3, 7-5, in a tense battle that thrilled fans and showcased her mental toughness.

With the win, Swiatek remains on course for an incredible fourth consecutive French Open crown, further cementing her legacy as the current queen of clay.

In another major upset, Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina produced one of her best performances of the tournament so far, defeating fourth seed and 2023 finalist Jasmine Paolini. Svitolina battled through a tight three-set encounter, winning 6-4, 6-7, 6-1, to secure a spot in the quarter-finals.