Iga Swiatek survives dramatic thriller against Naomi Osaka, pulls off a comeback for the ages in French Open 2R

Iga Swiatek pulled off a comeback for the ages, reeling off the last five games in a row to survive against Naomi Osaka in the second round of the 2024 French Open. With the win, the World No. 1 has kept her hopes alive of defending her title at Roland Garros.

Swiatek started the clash on the front foot, taking an early break of serve for a 4-2 lead. However, the Japanese quickly retrieved the break and forced a tiebreaker. In the tiebreaker, the two-time defending champion dominated against the run of play, taking it 7-1.

From there on, it was all Naomi Osaka, as she produced two breaks of serve in the second set for a 4-0 lead. Swiatek, looking more cluless by the minute, scored her first game of the set on her next serve but had her serve broken once again to concede the set 1-6.

The third set began just the second set did, with the former World No. 1 breaking early. On her own service games, she had to stave off multiple break points, but still held on to consolidate for a 3-0 lead and then to 5-2. From there, however, Swiatek began an inspired comeback, breaking twice to restore parity.

At 5-5, with Naomi Osaka serving to take the lead, Swiatek broke for the third game in a row to take a 6-5 lead and serve for the match. The four-time Grand Slam champion did not let the opportunity slip, taking the set 7-5 and with it the match in just under three hours of play under the closed roof in Court Philippe-Chartrier.

Iga Swiatek to take on either Jana Fett or Marie Bouzkova in French Open third round

Naomi Osaka at the 2024 French Open - Day 4

Following her stunning win over Naomi Osaka, Iga Swiatek will take on either Jana Fett or Marie Bouzkova in the third round of the 2024 French Open. The duo are currently locked in battle, and will resume their clash on Thursday after rain interrupted their match in the second round.

There are no more seeds left in her section of the draw, meaning Swiatek has a rather easy path to the quarterfinals. There, she is likely to face either reigning Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova or former Australian Open runner-up Danielle Collins.

After a potential semifinal clash against reigning US Open champion Coco Gauff, the four-time Grand Slam champion is projected to face either World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka or World No. 4 Elena Rybakina in the final.