What a weekend to reflect from the women’s & men’s singles main event deciders of the 2023 Roland Garros at Court Phillipe Chatrier, as we turn our attention to the grass courts at Wimbledon early next month in London.
We saw some competitiveness from Karolina Muchkova along the way following an excellent response to Iga Swiatek’s quick 1st spell that sets up a 3rd set deciding shootout before Swiatek still reigns on clay towards the finish line (6-2, 5-7, 6-4). Then over in the men’s, Casper Ruud played some excellent shots that comes with a good build-up base while trying to stay in this fight. But Djokovic has got the better pull & lead momentum though on what has been his grand slam title No.23 (7-6 (7-1 tiebreak), 6-3, 7-5).
First of all, hats off to Swiatek with another grand slam win on clay where it has been somewhat more competitive this time after an easy start. However, she responded really well under pressure before she saw light at the end of the tunnel with the win. Looking at Muchkova now, it wasn’t easy to get the ball rolling that fast especially when it’s her first grand slam final. She never gave Swiatek a free ride with some excellent fight in a bid to stay in the mix that includes a great 3rd set restart, but sadly just couldn’t hold off under pressure towards the end there.
So unlucky to have fallen short once again fom Ruud, having got away with a brilliant start earlier on. But the executions weren’t there to find his way out unscathed, especially when trying to get the job done under pressure before Djokovic has won it all along. And on the men’s singles champ, he’s still standing where he’s got the experience needed to pull his way past such a talented challenger. That’s all I can say when a good 1st set lifeline puts him in a great position towards an easy 2nd set & then took his time well thanks to a huge lead advantage he’s got on the run home.
