World number one Iga Swiatek claimed a straight sets win over Coco Gauff to win the French Open title in the women's singles tournament.
Swiatek stormed to a 6-1 6-3 victory in one hour and eight minutes to march to her second major victory after lifting the 2020 French Open title, with thunder beginning to rumble as the Pole clinched the crown.
As ever, Swiatek dominated the early exchanges with a swift double break to move 4-0 ahead, the second of which came after four failed attempts to break her fellow youngster previously.
Gauff's spate of early errors - particularly on the forehand - did her no favours, but the teenager finally held her serve in game five to get on the board.
However, Swiatek was soon presented with two set points on the Gauff serve - the American managed to save one with one of her strongest forehands of the first set but could not prevent Swiatek from gaining the advantage after just 32 minutes.
The crowd began to rally behind Gauff as a misplaced forehand from Swiatek handed the American an early break this time around, and the 18-year-old held confidently to move two games to the good.
Swiatek soon rediscovered her touch to reduce the deficit to 2-1 before another wide Gauff forehand levelled the scores, and the world number one would ease to three consecutive game wins to move ever closer to the crown.
Gauff managed to hold her serve to delay the inevitable, but the Pole was presented with two championship points after another long return from her counterpart.
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— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 4, 2022
It was deja vu for Gauff, as her forehand landed just beyond the baseline to hand Swiatek the French Open title, and the world number one collapsed to her knees before heading up to the box.
Emotion got the better of Gauff in the wake of her agonising defeat, as Swiatek celebrated her win with family and friends in the stands, and a certain Robert Lewandowski was in attendance to congratulate his compatriot.
Speaking during her post-match interview, Gauff said: "This is a first time for me so I'll try to get through this. Congratulations Iga, what you have done these past few months has been amazing. Hopefully we can play many finals and I can get a win on you one of these days!
"I'd like to thank my team. I'm sorry I wasn't able to get this one today. But thank you guys for always supporting me. Hopefully this is the first final of many. I appreciate you guys a lot, you have helped me through so much this year.
"Thank you to you guys [in the crowd] who supported me even when I was down. Even when I was down match points you guys cheered me on and that means a lot, so truly, thank you."
Champion Swiatek added: "First I want to congratulate you [Coco Gauff] because you are doing an amazing job. You are progressing all the time. You will find it and you will be there I am pretty sure of that.
"I want to thank my team, you guys, I mean, oh my god, without you I wouldn't be here, I'm sure of that. I'm glad every piece has come together and we can do this. We deserve to be here. Thanks for your full support all the time no matter what.
"Also to my Dad, I wouldn't be here without him so I have to thank him for everything. Everyone who is in my box, thank you all."
Swiatek's success on Saturday marked the 21-year-old's 35th match victory in a row, although she is still some way off Martina Navratilova's record total of 74.
Ben Knapton
