Roland-Garros: Swiatek overcomes stern test from Kovinic to extend win streak to 31

World No 1 Iga Swiatek overcame one of the sternest tests she has had in recent times, beating 95th ranked Danka Kovinic, of Montenegro, in a hard-fought straight sets encounter to reach the fourth round at Roland-Garros in Paris on Saturday.

Playing the opening match on Court Philippe Chatrier, Swiatek got off to a fast start, breaking the 27-year-old Kovinic’s serve to go up 3-0. The Montengren got the break back to cut the lead to 4-3 but Swiatek took a second break and closed the first set 6-3.

Kovinic takes the lead in the second set but Swiatek holds on for the win

The Pole, whose last loss on the tour came 102 days ago in February, got off to another quick start in the second to go up by two breaks and serve at 4-1. That’s when Kovinic piled on the pressure as she reeled off four games in arow to go ahead 5-4.

Swiatek held her serve comfortably for 5-5 and then won the next two games to close the 6-3, 7-5 win in one hour and 31 minutes. The win marked the 10th consecutive straight sets win for the 2020 Roland-Garros champion

The victory too Swiatek’s winning streak to 31 consecutive matches and puts her into a fourth-round clash on Monday against either French veteran Alizé Cornet or Chinese youngster Qinwen Zheng.

Roland-Garros, Paris (Grand Slam): Saturday women’s third-round results (Stade Roland-Garros, clay, EUR 43.600.000):

• Irina-Camelia Begu beat Leolia Jeanjean (WC): 6-1, 6-4

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