Roland Garros: Led Zeppelin-inspired Iga Swiatek takes next step on stairway to French Open heaven
- Seb Sternik
- 2 June 2022
World number one Iga Swiatek admitted she listened to Led Zeppelin before putting on a heavy metal display in the French Open semi-final.
The 2020 champion demolished Russia's Daria Kasatkina to book her spot in Saturday's finale.
Swiatek took just 64 minutes to seal the 6-2 6-1 victory on Court Philippe-Chatrier and extend her winning streak to 34 straight matches.
She said: "I try to treat every match the same way, and if I realise this is one of the most important matches of the season it stresses me out.
"So I just listen to music - Led Zeppelin, it really pumps me up - and use everything to help me.
"There are a few bands that I listen to before a match. Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, and Guns N' Roses, they were always the three that were really kind of perfect for the situation, you know.
Back in the final 💪@iga_swiatek scores her 34th consecutive win, defeating Kasatkina 6-2, 6-1 for the right to play for the title#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/SygTtSrgnx
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 2, 2022
"So I use music to kind of have something that's going to get my brain busy and relaxed before the match. But also when I want to be more energetic, it really helps me."
Swiatek started the match with a double fault as the Paris breeze appeared to catch the Pole off guard. However, after a quick assessment of the conditions, the 20-year-old stormed to victory without too many problems.
The 2020 Roland Garros champion won 20 of the last 23 points in the match and finished the job with an emphatic ace.
WTA longest winning streaks since 2000
Venus Williams - 35
Serena Williams - 34
Iga Swiatek - 34
Justine Henin - 32
Victoria Azarenka - 26
The victory moved Swiatek level with Serena Williams for the number of consecutive wins this century. Victory in Saturday's final will see the Pole match Venus Williams who won 35 straight games back in 2000.
Swiatek will take on American teenager Coco Gauff in the showpiece, after the 18-year-old stormed past Martina Trevidan, winning 6-3 6-1.
Nice win streak company 👏
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 2, 2022
3️⃣5️⃣ Venus Williams 2000
3️⃣4️⃣ Serena Williams 2013
3️⃣4️⃣ Iga Świątek 2022#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/w2dmH2eTfl
"For sure I'm even more happy with the performance than after the previous match, because I feel like my game is getting more and more solid," added Swiatek.
"I can really loosen up when I'm getting advantage and when I'm having a break, so that's great. I feel like I'm playing better every match."
