Swiatek Battles Past Bejlek to Reach French Open Third Round
The 24-year-old fought through a tough second round in Paris. She praised Bejlek’s tricky style after the win and prepares for a clash with Ostapenko or Linette.
Swiatek beats Bejlek 6-2, 6-3 to move into French Open last 32...
Iga Swiatek reached the third round of the French Open on Wednesday after beating world No. 35 Sara Bejlek 6-2, 6-3. The match included several unforced errors from the Polish star, but she did enough to advance.
The four-time Roland Garros champion is aiming to win the title again. She won three straight from 2022 to 2024 before losing to top seed Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s semifinals.
Swiatek, 24, is now working with Francisco Roig, Rafael Nadal’s former coach. She prepared for the clay-court Grand Slam at Nadal’s tennis academy in Mallorca.
“I spent a week in Mallorca, which is amazing, because starting the clay-court season there gave me a lot of motivation,” Swiatek said on court.
Following a straightforward first-round win in Paris over Australian wildcard Emerson Jones, Swiatek faced a tougher test in the round of 64 against Bejlek, the recent Abu Dhabi champion.
“She has a tricky style of game... she mixes up the rhythm quite well,” Swiatek said of her 20-year-old opponent, who she faced for the first time.
Straight sets Swiatek ⚡️@iga_swiatek makes Round 3!#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/34gnSFQFpU
— wta (@WTA) May 27, 2026
A light gusty wind moved across centre court, which the sun-drenched crowd likely welcomed. Both players struggled to hold serve early, trading three breaks in a row during the opening games.
Swiatek seemed to take control from the baseline after that. Bejlek fought to stay with the former world No. 1 and saved a set point to break back for 5-2. Swiatek closed out that game with two double faults in a row.
Two legends of Roland-Garros 🤝@iga_swiatek equals @ChrissieEvert's Open Era record of most wins in her first 45 main draw matches! 🔥#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/CuWNozJdqO
— wta (@WTA) May 27, 2026
Swiatek held serve to win a long opening game in the second set, with both players finding their rhythm on groundstrokes.
Swiatek showed more power overall. She broke in the next game and controlled the rest of the set to reach the last 32, even though she was broken twice.
In the next round she will face either former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko or her compatriot Magda Linette.
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