This is an article ‘Roland Garros 2022 Round-up’ by Marc Pulisci
For many tennis fans worldwide, the recent French Open tournament was well worth the wait with its surprising moments, occasional drama, and new faces introducing themselves as the latest bunch on the radar. Here’s a roundup of what this year’s Roland Garros 2022 had to offer.
As the excitement built up for two weeks, so did the thrills. As tennis blogs and websites announced how WTA world number one Iga Swiatek and tennis legend Rafael Nadal won the women’s and men’s championships, respectively, more highlights developed on the court and the sidelines as the days led up to the culminating matches.
While some weren’t really surprised by the masterclass Swiatek displayed in her dominant win over 18-year-old Cori Gauff 6-1, 6-3, it’s important to note that the Polish champion has matched Venus Williams’ record for the longest winning streak in women’s tennis with 35.
Meanwhile, Nadal easily defeated Casper Ruud in straight sets at the Philippe Chatrier court to be the first out of the 20-grand slam tie he recently shared with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. His 21st major win also marked his 14th title on his beloved clay court as both celebrities and royalty enjoyed the match.
Here are more highlights that took place in this year’s Roland Garros:
Teen superstars shine
For fans waiting to see new faces that have the potential to make it big in future events, we focus on three teenage wonders who have displayed impressive showings on the clay court.
Known for his advantage on the clay court, especially in his recent matches in Barcelona and Madrid, Spanish rising star Carlo Alcaraz reached the quarter final stage to face the then world number three (now number two) Alexander Zverev of Germany for one of his biggest matches yet. The 19-year-old teen previously defeated the German when they met in the Madrid final, with Zverev hoping to avenge his one-sided defeat. Zverev emerged as the victor in four sets, 6-4, 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (7) after Alcaraz had a 6-5 lead in the tiebreaker but failed to earn the point.
Against a chanting crowd that was rooting for the Spaniard, Zverev sealed the win by scoring the following two points. Nonetheless, Alcaraz earned the crowd’s adoration and officially entered the stars’ circle with his energetic performance that combined athleticism and great footwork reminiscent of Djokovic.
Aside from Alcaraz, Danish Holger Rune, also 19 years old and currently ranked number 29, posted a personal best in the last French Open tournament by qualifying in the quarter finals. However, the European Junior champion fell at the hands of Norwegian finalist Casper Ruud.
In women’s singles, 18-year-old American Cori ‘Coco’ Gauff, another former number 1 on the Tennis Junior Tour, made it to the Roland Garros final with French fans getting behind her all the way. Having spent most of her training at the country’s Mouratouglou Academy, Gauff bowed to world number one Swiatek but was also able to make it to the doubles final. Unfortunately, in three sets, Gauff and partner Jessica Pegula also fell to Caroline Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic.
Other fresh names and faces to watch out for in the Junior events include Gabriel Debru, who took home the championship against Belgian Gilles Arnaud Bailly in two sets; women’s singles champion Lucie Havlickova who disposed of Solana Sierra similarly in two sets; and Dino Prizmic who made a remarkable showing in his semifinal match against home favorite Gabriel Debrubut fell short of capturing the win.
Nadal retains King of Clay dominance
During every French Open season, all favor goes to the King of Clay, Rafael Nadal. However, with his lingering injury and recent defeat at the PNB Paribas Open against American Taylor Fritz in two sets, most fans welcomed the Grand slam tournament with the champion’s fate up in the air.
With Djokovic’s return from his controversial absence in the Australian Open, some fans might have shifted their bets on the Serbian. Then, there’s also rising star Carlo Alcaraz who has been entering the finals circle left and right in Madrid and Rome. Alcaraz became the youngest in men’s singles to win the Masters 1000 in a stunning upset against Alexander Zverev and his 7th straight win versus top ten players.
But the King of Clay had other things in mind entering Roland Garros. Defeating his opponents in the early rounds, Rafa faced Felix Auger-Aliassime in the 16th round and won the match to set up a quarter final face-to-face with Djokovic.
Eventually, Nadal emerged as the winner of the quarter final match and the semifinal against Zverev, who had to bow out due to an ankle injury. Then came the finals masterclass against Ruud, which proved that the clay court is still Nadal’s for the taking.
Twice as sweet for Swiatek
On the road to the women’s finals, Iga Swiatek took her sweet time in dismantling the opposition as the lack of competition in the women’s rosters gave the WTA world number one her second French Open title.
Entering the Grand Slam as the prohibitive favorite with -110 odds in Us betting markets, Swiatek gave everyone what they expected by capturing the title in two lopsided sets against young rising star Cori Gauff.
Perhaps, what’s even more notable was her match against Qinwen Zheng in round 16, where she dropped a set – the only set she lost in the tournament. After that, there was no looking back, and the Polish star defeated Jessica Pegula and Daria Kasatkina on her way to the finals.
Coming into the finals with 35 consecutive wins, Swiatek marked another milestone in her career by registering the longest winning streak in the 21st century since 2000. The wins came from her recent performances at the Qatar Open, Indian Wells, Miami Open, Stuttgart Open, and the Italian Open.
Tennis had fans at the 1st half
As we all look forward to the remainder of the 2022 season, tennis fans have a lot to watch out for.
In particular, we have how Swiatek is poised to break the women’s winning streak record, how Carlo Alcaraz will fare in upcoming Grand Slam tournaments, and the erratic adjustments in ranking that set Daniil Medvedev in a precarious pole position.
As stated previously, 2022 is shaping up to be one that was worth all the wait.
Comentarios