Hello and welcome to coverage of the French Open women’s final between Iga Swiatek and Jasmine Paolini.
As a three time champion, Swiatek’s appearance on the final Saturday is not a shock but few would have picked Paolini to reach a maiden grand slam final.
The Italian had never made it beyond the second round of a major until this year but she has enjoyed the season of her career, making the fourth round at the Australian Open and winning the prestigious Dubai Open in February.
She is also through to the doubles final on Sunday with her compatriot Sara Errani.
“I step on court believing that I can win the match. That I think makes all the difference,” she said. “When you are not confident, it’s a little bit more complicated in tennis I think because it’s a really mental sport.
“I don’t think there was a special moment when it changed. I think it was like a process. I lost all the matches, more or less, against the top players, but I was getting closer. Now with more matches, let’s say, in my pocket, I feel more confidence in my game, in myself.
“My goal is to step on court on Saturday and try to enjoy the match, to enjoy that moment and to try to play a good match and to make a good performance on court.”
For Swiatek, after surviving a match point against Naomi Osaka in the second round, she has eased her way into the final but insist she is not taking Paolini for granted.
“I need to prepare tactically and see what her game is at now because for sure she’s had the best season,” the world No.1 said.
“So she must have changed something. Honestly, I haven’t watched her matches. I’ll just focus on myself and prepare tactically and try to be consistent with my tactics.”
