Four-time French Open champion Iga Swiatek has never felt so vulnerable heading into her favourite Grand Slam, and Rebecca Sramkova will aim to exploit any hint of weakness in Monday's first round.
Having claimed titles in Madrid and Rome last year in the lead-up to Roland Garros, the Polish star enters her seventh appearance in Paris without a title since completing an impressive three-peat 12 months ago.
Match preview
© Imago
A lot can change in 12 months, which is especially true for Swiatek, whose dominance has waned since leaving Paris with a third consecutive Coupe Suzanne Lenglen and fourth overall in 2024.
While that success promised much ahead of the Paris Olympics, the four-time French Open champion only came away with bronze, and a coaching change followed by a one-month suspension for testing positive for trimetazidine have further hindered the 23-year-old.
Despite entering this year's event on a 21-match winning streak at the tournament, the Polish star's No. 5 ranking is the lowest in three years, highlighting her struggle to maintain consistency.
Having reached an abundance of semi-finals in 2025, the five-time Grand Slam champion has not advanced to a title match since securing her fourth French Open crown in five years, and defeats in Doha, where she sought a three-peat, and recently in Madrid and Rome, where she aimed for successful title defences, accentuate the atypical form of the Polish star.
While her quarter comprises bete noir Jelena Ostapenko, Elena Rybakina and Marta Kostyuk, Swiatek will hope to take it one step at a time as she aims for a record-setting fourth consecutive Roland Garros title in the Open Era.
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Standing in the Pole's way in round one is Sramkova, who enters Monday's encounter as the underdog despite the four-time champion's uncharacteristic performances and results.
The 28-year-old is vying to make it third-time lucky at the second Grand Slam of the tennis calendar, having been defeated in first-round appearances against Daria Kasatkina in 2022 and Amanda Anisimova 12 months ago, both in straight sets.
Nonetheless, while the Slovak could only manage two games in the 2-6, 0-6 loss three years ago, the 2024 defeat to Anisimova saw Sramkova push for a tie-break in the opener and lose the second by a narrow break in a 7-6(6), 6-4 loss to the American, providing a glimpse of encouragement despite the defeat.
Facing this seemingly diminished version of Swiatek might open the door for Sramkova, though the 28-year-old should not expect the three-time defending champion to gift her success.
Those prospects of an upset may seem far-fetched for the world No. 41, considering her 10-14 record this season, but her opponent's vulnerability could inspire a spirited performance on Philippe-Chatrier.
Head To Head
Australian Open (2025) - Second round: Swiatek 6-0 6-2
Swiatek and Sramkova have met once on the WTA Tour, with that encounter taking place at the Australian Open in January.
Having dropped just two games in that second-round victory, the Polish star's expertise on the dirt in Paris means a similar result is likely if the three-time defending champion maintains a high level.
Further diminishing Sramkova's slim prospects are her five defeats against top-10 opponents, against whom she has lost four in straight sets, with the lone exception being her first encounter against Ostapenko in Rome last year.
We say: Swiatek to win in two sets
Although Sramkova will hope to catch Swiatek on another off day, the world No. 41's wait for her first French Open victory is expected to continue as the Polish star is not anticipated to falter in round one.
While tougher challenges lie ahead for the world No. 5 in her bid to become the first woman in the Open Era to win four consecutive French Open titles, the five-time Slam champion is poised to advance without much trouble, setting up a second-round meeting with Emma Raducanu or Wang Xiyu.
