The French Open has reached its final weekend with Jasmine Paolini aiming to cause a major upset by stopping Iga Swiatek from winning a fourth Roland Garros title later today.
“Iga is an unbelievable player,” said Paolini. “So young, but so many achievements and grand slams. Here she won three times. She’s doing well week by week, and that’s not easy. So I have huge respect for her.
“But my goal is to step on court on Saturday and try to enjoy the match, to enjoy that moment and to try to play a good match and to make a good performance on court.”
Swiatek’s route to the final has been a procession after having to save a match point against Naomi Osaka in the second round but she insists she won’t take her Italian opponent lightly.
Swiatek said: “We played a long time ago, so I need to prepare tactically and see what her game is at now because for sure she’s playing… she has the best season, so she must have changed something.
“We’ll see because, honestly, I haven’t watched her matches, so there’s not a lot for me to say. I’ll just focus on myself and prepare tactically and try to be consistent with my tactics.”
When does the French Open start and end?
The French Open began on Sunday, May 26 and concludes on June 9.
What is today’s order of play?
COURT PHILIPPE-CHATRIER – 2pm (BST)
(1) Iga Swiatek (Poland) v (12) Jasmine Paolini (Italy)
When do the French Open finals take place?
The women’s final takes place today and the men’s final is the following day on June 9.
Where is the French Open held?
The French Open takes place at Roland Garros, which is located on the edge of Bois de Boulogne, close to Paris St-Germain’s Parc des Princes. The venue spans 18 clay courts including the main show court: Philippe-Chatrier.