No. 1 In the women’s final, Iga Swiatek will compete against Karolina Muchova for a third French Open championship

Iga Swiatek, who was rated 95th, was defeated by 106th-ranked Karolina Muchova in three sets in the first round of a small clay-court event in the Czech Republic a little over four years ago.

Despite often practising together, it was the only occasion they ever played against one another.

The French Open final showdown, which will take place on Saturday, will feature the same two players on a much bigger platform and with much higher stakes. Swiatek is attempting to win her third Roland Garros championship and fourth major championship while currently holding the No. 1 ranking, where she has been for more than a year.

Muchova’s career has been hampered by a number of injuries, so she is only ranked 43rd and unseeded, but for the last two weeks, she has been at her best, especially when she came back to defeat No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka in the quarterfinals on Thursday after being faced with a match point.

And Muchova accomplished it with the same blend of traditional and modern tennis Swiatek vividly recalls witnessing up close during that first match in Prague in April 2019.

“Honestly, I like her game a lot. She has my utmost respect and seems to be a player capable of anything. She has a lovely touch. She can make the game faster, too,” Swiatek remarked.

She moves with that type of, like, freedom as she plays. She also has a superb technique. As a result, I feel like I understand her game very well after watching her matches.

Muchova performs a variety of tasks.

She feels at ease at the net. She will change her baseline speeds and angles. She understands when to assault and when to retreat. In the semifinals, she even out-hit Sabalenka, her powerful opponent, in terms of aces.

Muchova was questioned about whether she has ever considered changing her style of play in order to emulate other players.

“No, I never experienced it. I don’t really want to be like anybody else, and I believe that applies to everything in life, said the 26-year-old Czech woman.

It’s the kind of game I like and support.

She has a 5-0 record against women who are rated in the top three because to how effectively it has worked for her.

She was ignorant of that fact until a reporter brought it up and questioned if it may make Swiatek the favourite to win; Muchova dismissed the idea.

It only demonstrates to me that I can compete with them, she remarked.

I am competitive.

There is no question in my mind.

However, Swiatek has her own difficulties.

She can play with delicacy, much like Muchova. She, like Muchova, is skilled at building a case, playing defence when required, and attacking when necessary. Her forehand with high topspin is currently the most deadly stroke in women’s tennis on clay.

Swiatek hasn’t dropped a set in the competition so far because of this. And the reason she plans to compete for her third victory in as many years in Paris.

Only one WTA trophy has been won by Muchova. When Swiatek, at 19 years old, entered her maiden major final at the 2020 French Open, she had nothing from any competitions.

How has Swiatek evolved since then, who is only a little over a week away from turning 22, then?

“Undoubtedly, I believe that I am a better player. I feel like there’s room for improvement everywhere, so I can’t really choose just one. Everywhere, she added, including in terms of tennis, the mind, the body, the strategy, the experience, and everything else.

“So, yeah, pretty much my entire life.”