the program, the favorites, the anecdote, the figure… this Saturday, June 10

2023-06-09 21:07:19

By the editorial staff

Published
2 hours ago, Update 2 minutes ago

Every Swiatek. CLODOGH KILCOYNE / AI / Reuters / Panoramic

The women’s final between the Polish Iga Swiatek and the Czech Karolina Muchova shines at the center of the program this Saturday.

The program

Court Philippe Chatrier, from 11 a.m. Men’s wheelchair tennis final: Hewett (GB, 1)-Oda (Jap, 2). From 3 p.m., ladies’ singles final: Swiatek (Pol, 1)-Muchova (Rtc), followed by the men’s doubles final: Dodig-Krajicek (Cro, EU)-Gilles-Vliegen (Bel).

The player worth watching

Iga Swiatek. The Polish (seeded n ° 1), revelation of the 2020 French Open, had announced that she would like to install a certain regularity on the circuit by drawing inspiration, in particular from Rafael Nadal. Three years later, she has won part of the bet. Installed at the top of world tennis, she knew how to invent a sequel. His game, his technique, his endurance and his will are models. Winner this Saturday, she would join Justine Henin who had won 3 titles in 4 years (between 2005 and 2007) at Roland-Garros.

The number

1, the Czech Karolina Muchova (26 years old; 43rd in the world) will experience her first Grand Slam final. Iga Swiatek will live the 4^e of its young history, it which displays 100% success at this stage of the Grand Slam competition (titled at Roland-Garros in 2020 and 2022 and at the US Open 2022).

The story

On June 4, 1988, Steffi Graf transformed the Roland-Garros final into a solo event, an ordeal for her young rival Natasha Zvereva (17 years old; world junior world champion) beaten 6-0, 6-0 in… 34 minutes. A one-sided match, Natasha Zvereva only managing to score 13 points… The fastest final of the Open era. The fastest Grand Slam final since Wimbledon 1911.

L’expression

Smash. The tennis dunk. A high-flying gesture. A suspended, spectacular moment, which allows the expression of power. To the delight of spectators. Not Novak Djokovic’s favorite move. Alexander Zverev missed 3 in one game (in the 3rd set of his semi-final against Casper Ruud). Carlos Alcaraz was, on Friday, illustrated in power or finesse. Before being tortured by cramps.