'Could have been a Grand Slam final' - Tim Henman hails quality in Iga Swiatek-Naomi Osaka French Open match
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Published 29/05/2024 at 21:56 GMT
The clash between Iga Swiatek and Naomi Osaka was good enough to have been "a Grand Slam final," according to Eurosport expert Tim Henman. Swiatek fought back from match point down to seal a thrilling comeback as the two four-time major winners showed their champion quality in a Roland-Garros classic. Henman praised Swiatek for a "monumental effort".
'That could have been a Grand Slam final' - Henman reacts to Swiatek's victory
The tennis on display in Iga Swiatek’s stunning French Open second-round win over Naomi Osaka was so good that it “could have been a Grand Slam final”, according to Tim Henman.
Swiatek fought back from match point down in the third set to win a thrilling three-set battle that ran for almost three hours on Court Philippe Chatrier.
The world No. 1 showed remarkable resilience to fight back when things were going against her, but her fellow four-time major winner Osaka was left to rue a huge missed opportunity.
“Osaka deserves so much credit, she put in an incredible performance. For me that could have been a Grand Slam final, that was the level of tennis,” Henman told Eurosport’s French Open coverage.
“But you’ve got to get over the line, you’ve got to win that last point, and that’s where Swiatek showed her fighting spirit.
“She just never gave up, kept believing that she could keep the ball in play a little longer and turn things around. It’s a monumental effort from the world No. 1."
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'You could see the nerves in Naomi' - Reaction to Swiatek's epic win over Osaka
Osaka missed the entire 2023 season on maternity leave and is still working her way back to top form and up the rankings.
The hard-court expert’s display on the clay of Paris impressed Henman, particularly given that it came against a player who has dominated the event in recent years by winning three of the last four women’s singles titles.
“In the longer term [Osaka] will look back on that match and think there are so many positives,” Henman continued.
“Her level of play on a clay court, which is not her best surface, was incredible. But right now, you’ve had match point for the biggest match of her life on a clay court, where she’s never beaten anyone in the top 10.
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Highlights: Swiatek completes stunning Osaka comeback in French Open classic
“She will be massively disappointed, but when she reflects, she will be proud of her performance and there will be lots to build on.”
Swiatek goes through to the third round where she will face Jana Fett or Marie Bouzkova as her title defence continues.
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