Iga Swiatek sets up rematch of last year's French Open final against Coco Gauff
- Scott Allen
- 5 June 2023
Iga Swiatek hardly breaks a sweat to set up a quarter-final clash with Coco Gauff, who she beat in last year's French Open final.
Iga Swiatek was given an easy passage through to the quarter-finals of the French Open when her opponent Lesia Tsurenko retired trailing 5-1 during the first set.
Swiatek again raced out of the blocks, moving into a 4-0 lead before her run of 23 straight games across three matches came to an end.
The Ukrainian called the doctor and trainer after five games and was apparently feeling unwell, having her blood pressure checked during a lengthy stoppage.
Tsurenko returned to the court but called it a day after only one more game to send Swiatek through to a rematch of last year's final against Coco Gauff.
Swiatek has lost only nine games in her four matches and claimed her second Roland Garros title after handing a heavy beating to Gauff in first grand slam singles final last year.
Their rivalry is a one-sided 6-0 to the Pole, with Gauff yet to win a set, but the teenager said: "Honestly, since last year I have been wanting to play her, especially at this tournament.
"I figured that it was going to happen because I figured I was going to do well and she was going to do well. Didn't know what side of the draw we were going to be on, obviously.
"But I'm the type of mentality, if you want to be the best, you have to beat the best. I think also, if you want to improve, you have to play the best.
"I feel like, the way my career has gone so far, if I see a level, and if I'm not quite there at that level, I know I have to improve. I think it would be almost cowardly to say that I want to not face the noise and not face the challenge, but I think that I'm up for it.
"I have improved a lot since last year, and she has too. I think it would be a great battle for us and for the fans, too."
