By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Saturday, June 10, 2023
Maiden major finalist Karolina Muchova came within two games of completing massive major upset.
In the end, world No. 1 Iga Swiatek tamed spiking nerve and a valiant Muchova 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 in a topsy-turvy French Open final to capture her fourth Grand Slam crown.
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World No. 43 Muchova carried a perfect 5-0 record vs. Top 3-ranked opponents onto Court Philippe Chatrier and after a slow start elevated her play to set up a frenetic finish.
Afterward, Muchova said it was a bittersweet battle because she came so close to the title—holding third-set leads of 2-0 and 4-3—before ending a dramatic final on a double fault. Still, Muchova draws major motivation from the fact she fought off world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka in a semifinal comeback and nearly knocked off No. 1 Swiatek, too.
"The feeling is a little bitter, because I felt it was very close, a close match," Muchova said afterward. "But overall, I mean, to call myself Grand Slam finalist, it's amazing achievement, and for sure big motivation for me to work in the future and to get a chance again to play for these big titles."
Muchova's 30 winners were 11 more than the world No. 1's total, but Swiatek played the bigger points a bit better.
The three-time Roland Garros champion converted 7 of 11 break-point chances; Muchova was 5 of 7 on break-point conversions.
Ultimately, the 26-year-old Czech said Swiatek's fast start—the top seed streaked through nine of the first 11 games—and her closing conviction were the differences in a thriller.
"The difference, well, you could see the difference in the first set and a half, I think," Muchova said. "I felt I was little slow, I would say, and Iga, obviously she usually has these great starts to the matches, I would say. When she's on a roll, it's tough to break in. But I was trying to continue to change the rhythms and to get her out of the rhythm, and then in the second set, with the one break that I managed there, I came alive a little bit.
"I felt that then in the third set the difference was not so big. We both had chances. Yeah, I didn't use them as well as she did."
Receiving her runner-up trophy from Hall of Famer Chrissie Evert, Muchova broke down in tears as fans saluted her inspired effort with a rousing standing ovation. Muchova said Evert consoled her saying "really kind words to me" and also thanked fans for infusing her with so much energy during an amazing two-week run that came a year after she hobbled out of Paris in tears after twisting her ankle.
Though she started this Roland Garros as a 100 to 1 longshot to take the title, Muchova showed the world she's close to mastering a major.
Muchova's first major final is a big step toward realizing her Grand Slam dream.
"It's very, it's a big motivation, now that I know that, you know, Iga is World No. 1 and I was so close," Muchova said. "I think now that I can do it.
"Obviously I know it's not like, you know, just like that (snapping fingers).
"It's a lot of work and effort to do, but I'm willing to take that. Yeah, I'll try my best in other two slams this year and next year, and I hope I will again get a chance to play for the title again."
Photo credit: Roland Garros Facebook