Iga Swiatek sweeps past Beatriz Haddad Maia into French Open final

Iga Swiatek is just one win away from a fourth Grand Slam title after defeating Beatriz Haddad Maia in straight-sets in the semi-finals of the French Open.

Swiatek denied the 14^th seed of a comeback after being forced into a second set tiebreak and powered through for a 6-2, 7-6(7) win after three hours and nine minutes on court.

The world No. 1 went into the match relitivaly untested, having not dropped a set throughout the tournament, and she admitted afterwards that she was relieved that it did not go to a deciding set.

‘’I'm just pretty happy to be in the final again," Swiatek said after the match.

"It was a tough match, and especially second set, every point counted. It was stressful in some moments, so I'm happy that I was really solid and I was able to close it in the tiebreaker.

"It wasn't easy, and Beatriz really played well. I'm just happy.’’

Haddad Maia came into the match with the upperhand, having previously beaten Swiatek in Toronto last year.

‘’She's really using the fact that she's a lefty," Swiatek said of her opponent.

"She's really using her spin on the serve. It's just tactically a little bit different. You always have to kind of address and switch most of the things that you do on court because she's a lefty.

"I just knew that I can really use my power on clay and even make it physical if I need to.’’

Swiatek will face unseeded Czech Karolina Muchova, who beat the Pole in their only ever meeting four years ago, in the final on Saturday and she revealed that she knows her game ‘pretty well’.

‘’I played many practices with her since 2019, and I also watch her actually more than most of the players. Just a coincidence, but it happened,’’ Swiatek said of Muchova.

"I really like her game, honestly. I really respect her, and she's I feel like a player who can do anything. She has great touch.

‘’She can also speed up the game. She plays with that kind of freedom in her movements. And she has a great technique. So, I watched her matches and I feel like I know her game pretty well.

"But obviously on matches, it's a little bit different and I'll be ready no matter what.’’