Iga Swiatek enjoyed a perfect day at Roland Garros on Friday. The World No.1 rang in her 23rd birthday with a straight-set win to advance to the Round of 16 at the French Open.
For just the second time in her career, Swiatek had to put in a full day of work on her birthday, as she faced Marie Bouzkova in the third round. Coming off her emotional match-point-saving win over Naomi Osaka 48 hours earlier, Swiatek cruised to a 6-4, 6-2 win over the Czech to notch her 17th consecutive win at Roland Garros. She has never lost before the fourth round.
“I was waiting until after the match to feel that I have a birthday because I knew that I need to focus on my work because if I would lose, it would be a total disaster,” Swiatek told reporters.
After the win, Fabrice Santoro led Court Philippe Chatrier in a round of “Happy Birthday” for the thoroughly embarrassed three-time champion.
Tournament Director Amelie Mauresmo helped present Swiatek with a cake after the match, and the World No.1 took on the duties of making sure everyone was fed well at the impromptu soiree.
The culinary delights didn’t stop there. In what has become a running joke among her sponsors, an enormous croissant was waiting for her when she got home.
