Zverev’s Wimbledon run in doubt due to injury
Iga Swiatek extended her incredible winning streak to 35 matches by beating Coco Gauff in straight sets to regain the French Open title.
The ruthless world number one outclassed Gauff on Court Philippe-Chatrier, beating the 18-year-old American 6-1, 6-3 in just 68 minutes.
Swiatek, 21, was relentless at Roland Garros yesterday, winning his second Grand Slam title two years after clinching his first in Paris.
The top seed was broken for the only time at the start of the second set, but otherwise barely missed a step and won six games in a row to get her hands on the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen again after winning a sixth straight tournament.
Gauff, the 18th seed, could yet win her first major title when she teams up with Jessica Pegula in today’s women’s doubles final.
A nervous Gauff was broken in the first game when she drilled a long forehand, with an aggressive Swiatek cementing that break courtesy of a rough forehand winner after a big serve.
The teenager was struggling with her forehand and made a series of errors as the composed Swiatek secured a double break for a 3-0 lead.
There was a huge round of applause for Gauff as she held on to take the board at 4-1, but Swiatek continued to dictate with her superb serving, power, accuracy and athleticism, raising her fist after a majestic forehand put her a game back. . winning the first set.
Swiatek finished the set in just 32 minutes when Gauff blasted a backhand wide after another glorious backhand winner from the top seed.
Meanwhile, Alexander Zverev is awaiting news about the true severity of his “very serious” ankle injury; with the Wimbledon participation of the number three in the world in doubt.
The 25-year-old withdrew from Friday’s French Open semi-final against Rafael Nadal after twisting his ankle late in the second set, which ended in a tie break.
Zverev, who lost a grueling first set 7-6 (10-8), was helped from the clay into a wheelchair before returning on crutches to retire, ending his hopes of a second Grand Slam final.
And the German is now in a race against time to be ready for the next big event of the year, with Wimbledon set to start in just over three weeks.
Providing an update on his injury on social media on Friday, Zverev said: “It was a very difficult time for me today on court.
“Obviously it was a fantastic game until what happened happened. It seems that I have a very serious injury. But the medical team and doctors are still checking on him.”
Zverev got off to an ideal start in his semi-final against Nadal by breaking his opponent’s serve in the first game, but the Spaniard hit back in the eighth game of the opening set.