Iga Swiatek sweeps Coco Gauff in French Open final, longest win streak since 2000

Twenty months ago, an unheralded Iga Swiatek became the lowest-ranked woman to win the French Open. Today, Swiatek won her second French Open as the world’s most dominant tennis player in years, and perhaps for years to come.

The Polish star swept 18-year-old American Coco Gauff 6-1, 6-3, extending her win streak to 35 matches, the longest in women’s tennis since 2000.

“This time, I felt the pressure, I felt baggage on my shoulders because I wasn’t an underdog anymore,” said Swiatek, undefeated since ascending to No. 1 after Australian Ash Barty‘s shock retirement in March. “I’m even more proud of that, that I could do it for the second time.”

The 23rd-ranked Gauff, the youngest major finalist since Maria Sharapova won 2004 Wimbledon, lost the first four games. She then took the first two games of the second set before Swiatek seized control for good.

Swiatek, 21, extended the most dominant reign in women’s tennis since Serena Williams‘ heyday. She last lost a match in February. She has dropped just two sets in her last 27 matches. She owns nearly double the rankings points as the world No. 2.

In 10 career WTA Tour finals, Swiatek is 9-1. She lost her first final (at age 17), and since won her last nine without dropping more than five games.

If she wins her next tournament, Swiatek will have the longest win streak in women’s tennis since Steffi Graf won 66 in a row in 1989-90.

“You didn’t wake up to be ordinary #1GA,” the blue T-shirts worn by those in Swiatek’s player box read. Swiatek, who won this title while ranked 54th in October 2020, wore a jacket for her victory speech with two gold stars, surely signifying the two Roland Garros titles.

Gauff continued an ascent from junior prodigy to standout pro. She won the