Swiatek survives early test to reach round two at Olympics
The Pole extended her winning streak at Roland-Garros to 22 matches with a 6-2, 7-5 win over Irina-Camelia Begu
Gepa / Panoramic
World No 1 Iga Swiatek came through a tough early test of her hopes of a first Olympic gold medal as she beat Irina Camelia Begu of Romania 6-2, 7-5 in the first round in Paris.
With the roof closed due to rain – and play delayed on the outside courts – the Pole came from 5-3 down in the second set to seal a straight-sets victory, extending her winning streak at Roland-Garros to 22 matches, having won her fourth French Open title just last month.
Begu gave her plenty of problems, though, with Swiatek showing a few signs of rust as she made the transition from grass to clay.
Ranked 136 but as high as No 22 in the past, Begu had a chance to serve out for the second set and was two points from doing so but Swiatek stayed calm, broke back and then finished things off when Begu double-faulted.
Swiatek will play either Nadia Podoroska or Diane Parry in round two.
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