French Open: Iga Swiatek praised by Chris Evert after victory over Coco Gauff – ‘Hasn’t even been tested’

Iga Swiatek “hasn’t even been tested in this tournament” yet, believes Chris Evert after watching the world No. 1 beat Coco Gauff to reach the semi-finals of the French Open.

It took the Pole one step closer to back-to-back Roland-Garros titles, and a possible, much-anticipated final meeting with Aryna Sabalenka, should the No. 1 and 2 seeds come through their respective semi-finals.

Watching on during Wednesday’s quarter-final was Eurosport’s Chris Evert, who praised the Pole for finding her “A-game” when it mattered.

Evert said: “It was [tighter than last year’s final]. The first set was 4-4, 30-30, and I was thinking ‘Wow, this is the highest quality women’s tennis match we’ve seen so far; they’re both playing so well,’, and then Iga just mentally – she’s just stronger.

“She challenges Coco to be mentally aware and in the moment, every single point, and Iga can do that, whereas Coco at 19 cannot do that.

“The second set was less tense; Coco made a lot of forehand errors and was mis-hitting a few more balls. It wasn’t the highest quality, but you give credit to Iga, coming out there against a dangerous opponent and found her A-game.

“She hasn’t even been tested in this tournament. She found her A-game, and played remarkably well.”

Evert felt her fellow American Gauff could perhaps have changed her tactics more, whilst also observing that Swiatek was simply better in most departments.

“After that first set, Coco had to change something. If you’re losing, you’ve got to change. As soon as she started coming into the net, I thought she could’ve drop-shotted more. She was throwing everything but the kitchen sink at one point, but it’s not her game.

“Iga beat her at her game. Iga does everything except volleying a little bit better than Coco right now. There’s no area except volleying – mentally, emotionally, physically – she moves as well as Coco.

“Coco is unbelievably good defensively, possibly matching her offence, but Iga is a great defence player as well.

“Coco just couldn’t find any answers; a chink in the armour.”

Henman, alongside Evert on Eurosport, felt it was a “significant hurdle” that Swiatek had surmounted.

He said: “In terms of forehands, Swiatek’s and Gauff’s – that is a huge difference. Swiatek is so aggressive, so consistent with that forehand, playing with so much power and spin, not making mistakes and hitting a lot of winners.

“That is one of her huge weapons, and something that she relies on any surface, but especially on clay.

“This was a huge match – last year’s final – and it’s another significant hurdle that Swiatek has overcome.”

Swiatek now takes on Beatriz Haddad Maia in the last four, with the other semi-final seeing Sabalenka play Karolina Muchova.

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On June 10 and 11 strap yourself in for a live sport rollercoaster ride. With the finals of Roland-Garros, 24 Hours of Le Mans, Speedway Grand Prix, the UCI Mountain Bike World Series, the Criterium du Dauphine, MotoGP and the Champions League final, it’s the Weekend of Champions live on Eurosport, discovery+ and BT Sport.