Swiatek braced for tougher path to third Paris title

Poland’s Iga Swiatek dispensed any notion that she is primarily a claycourt specialist when she claimed her third Gland Slam title by winning last year’s US Open.

But there is no disputing the red dirt is the perfect companion to her multifaceted game and even less debate that Roland Garros remains her favourite playground.

Swiatek, who turns 22 during the first week of the French Open, will be the favourite for a third title in four years in Paris, although she might face some stiffer opposition this year than 12 months ago when she was simply unstoppable.