Good afternoon and welcome to protection from the French Open as world No 1 Iga Swiatek takes on former No 1 Naomi Osaka within the headline match on day 4 of the match.
Ever for the reason that draw was made final week, the potential for this second-round match-up had tennis followers excited and it got here to fruition after each gamers got here by their opening rounds in contrasting vogue.
Swiatek dropped simply three video games as she swept apart French wild card Leolia Jeanjean. The Pole is bidding to turn into the primary lady to win three straight French Open titles since Justine Henin in 2007 and he or she is properly conscious of the menace posed by Osaka.
“She’s an excellent individual and her recreation type is fairly enjoyable to observe,” Swiatek mentioned when requested about at this time’s opponent. I’m glad she got here again and he or she’s taking part in extra tournaments even than earlier than the break.
“I haven’t truly performed in opposition to Naomi clearly on clay, so we’ll see how that’s going to go.”
On Sunday, Osaka wanted a deciding set to beat Lucia Bronzetti as she claimed her first grand slam win since her return to the game after the start of her daughter and he or she is aware of the dimensions of the duty dealing with her when she takes on the very best participant on the earth on her finest floor.
“I watched her rather a lot after I was pregnant. It’s an honour to play her within the French Open as a result of she has received greater than as soon as right here. It’s a really huge problem for me,” Osaka mentioned.
“It’s a take a look at to see the place I’m at however I wouldn’t say I’ve low expectations of myself. I’m an individual that thinks that I can win each match that I play.
“That’s gotten me this far. I’d by no means play a match considering lowly of myself, no.”
