Poland teenager Iga Swiatek stuns top seed Simona Halep at the French Open

Women's top seed Simona Halep crashed out of the French Open fourth round on Sunday after the world number two was stunned 6-1, 6-2 in 68 minutes by Polish teenager Iga Swiatek (pictured). Photo: Alessandra Tarantino/AP

Women's top seed Simona Halep crashed out of the French Open fourth round on Sunday after the world number two was stunned 6-1, 6-2 in 68 minutes by Polish teenager Iga Swiatek (pictured). Photo: Alessandra Tarantino/AP

Published Oct 4, 2020

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LONDON - Women's top seed Simona Halep crashed out of the French Open fourth round on Sunday after the world number two was stunned 6-1, 6-2 in 68 minutes by Polish teenager Iga Swiatek.

In her first ever grand slam quarter-final, Swiatek will play either fifth seed Kiki Bertens or Italy's Martina Trevisan.

"I felt like I was playing perfectly," Swiatek said in an interview on Court Philippe Chatrier. "I was so focused the whole match and I'm surprised I could do that. This week has been a dream come true for me."

Swiatek, ranked 54th in the world, dominated in the rallies as she won three straight games before breaking Halep's serve a second time for a 5-1 lead after just 20 minutes.

The 19-year-old pumped her first and roared "come on," when she sealed the first set with a blistering forehand down the line to take command.

Halep was clearly shaken by such an overwhelming start as she panicked with a series of errors and the 2018 champion faltered to find herself 4-1 down by a double break in the second set.

Swiatek served for another 5-1 advantage and even though Halep held on for the following game, Halep's time in Paris was over when Swiatek booked her quarter-final spot with an overwhelming final serve.

dpa

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