The Czech was at her pure, explosive greatest. Mental strife and accidents have taken their toll on her, however over three hours of high-quality tennis on Thursday, she was capable of show why her World No. 43 rating is misleading.

Sabalenka’s firepower sport – unbeaten at Grand Slams this yr up till then – was counteracted as Muchova took management from the baseline. She served with focus and returned with precision, hit her forehand with immense venom, and had Sabalenka trailing everywhere in the courtroom with number of slices and drop photographs.

She confirmed combat too. After giving up the lead within the second-set tiebreak, she got here again from 2-5 down, saving match level, to win. Her efficiency was an exhibition of all that the tennis world has been lacking out on in her injury-induced absences, and her psychological resolve would give her much-needed confidence heading into Swiatek’s lair – day time on Court Philippe Chatrier.

Swiatek’s domination of the tour final yr, together with a whopping 37-match successful streak, was all the time going to be a tough act to comply with this yr. Despite that, Swiatek has not loosened her grip on the floor that accentuates her strengths most – the bouncy, sluggish purple clay.

When she burst onto the scene – successful the French Open title within the 2020 COVID-derailed season on the age of 19 – she boasted of an all-court taking part in model. Those instincts have been left behind to focus extra of the aggressive baseline play that permits her to blow previous the chasing pack.

Iga’s ‘bakery’

Swiatek’s aggressive courtroom positioning tight, or typically contained in the baseline permits her to take the ball early and hit it with the precision, spin, and energy that create the proper archetype for a clay courtroom sport. When momentum is on her aspect, she has the killer intuition to blow previous opponents within the blink of a watch, usually prompting tennis-crazy followers on-line to repeat references to “Iga’s Bakery”.

In tennis parlance, a ‘bagel’ is a set received 6-0, and a ‘breadstick’ is a set received 6-1. Swiatek has received 9 units with these scorelines over the past two editions of the French Open, together with 4 ‘bagels’ this yr. Given her overwhelming standing because the favorite, the strain of expectations has risen, however match after match, Swiatek has grown in confidence.

But there’s nonetheless the small matter of a Grand Slam remaining to cope with. While Swiatek’s type might really feel untouchable, Muchova’s contrasting taking part in model is likely to be the antidote.

If the Pole has the power to impose herself from the baseline by way of aggression and rock-solid defence, the Czech has the tennis repertoire to disrupt her rhythm. Not solely does she have a powerful forehand that may deal with the crosscourt exchanges, but additionally a deep backhand slice and strategic defensive lobs in her armour to sluggish issues down and make Swiatek work to prevail within the lengthy rallies.

Swiatek’s main strategic weapon this yr has been her return. With aggressive return positioning, depth of groundstrokes, and talent to take the ball excessive and early, she will suffocate her opponents after they miss their mark. But Muchova’s laser-like first serve could be very correct and constant, on which she has received greater than 60% of the factors in all however one match.

Swiatek, because the World No. 1 and defending champion, is the apparent favorite. On her day, she will roll over any opponent, however when issues usually are not going her approach, she has proven an inclination to unravel. Muchova can also be no stranger to the large event, successful every of her 5 earlier matches in opposition to gamers ranked within the high three, together with a exceptional win in opposition to house favorite Ash Barty within the 2021 Australian Open quarterfinal.

The Pole will look to make mild work of one other lower-ranked opponent in Paris, and Muchova, with nothing to lose, will hope to make her as uncomfortable as she will.