Iga Swiatek confronts rowdy French Open crowd after beating Naomi Osaka in a thrilling comeback
Roland Garros favourite Iga Swiatek laid into the French crowd for shouting out during rallies after she had just saved match point in a breathless comeback to beat the former world No 1 Naomi Osaka.
Swiatek’s 7-6, 1-6, 7-5 victory was a match to set this soggy French Open tournament alight. Osaka stood one point from victory at 5-3 in the deciding set, but Swiatek found a searching return, then raised her level from what had previously been a jittery performance.
Few had seen this level of challenge coming from Osaka, who had struggled against the little-known Lucia Bronzetti in the opening round. But she was brilliant for long periods, suggesting that she has finally cast off whatever anxieties she has about red clay.
In her on-court interview after the match, Swiatek said: “I am sorry to bring this up. I have huge respect for you guys and I know we are playing for you. This is entertainment and we are also making money because of you. “But sometimes under a lot of pressure when you scream something during the rally or right before the return, it’s really, really hard to be focused.
