The China Mail - 'Super tense' Swiatek falls in bid to regain French Open crown

Four-time Roland Garros champion Swiatek fell 7-5, 6-1 on Court Philippe Chatrier to her 15th-seeded Ukrainian opponent, who had never beaten her before in four previous attempts.

The emphatic last-16 loss brutally cut short the former world number one's attempt to regain the title she had won three times in a row between 2022 and 2024 during a period when she seemed unbeatable on clay.

Despite all her success so far in her career, the six-time major winner said she still felt keenly the pain of defeat.

"I feel like I care (about losing) even more (now)," she told reporters.

"Sometimes you have losses that it's hard to let go, because you just know it wasn't your day or you know that your opponent was better. I guess it depends on the reason, why you lose, you know.

"But today I feel like it wasn't nice after the match because I know that I can perform better, but today I couldn't."

Since lifting the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen for the fourth time in 2024, Swiatek has struggled for consistency, winning just three titles.

"I feel, like, for sure I lost today because Marta used the opportunity, and I was super tense," she said.

"It is harder a bit to handle stress for me in, like, (the) last year.

"So I feel like today I felt off, you know, and I did mistakes that I didn't want to do, and I wanted to play safe, but the ball flew everywhere.

"Suddenly these feelings came back, and I tried to work on it with my dialogue inside, but it was tough today. Yeah, so it all kind of went drastically down, and I played worse and worse."

- 'Still underdog' -

However, if by Swiatek's own insistence that "there is no bonus from being out of the tournament", her earliest departure from Roland Garros since her debut in Paris seven years ago will give her more time to recuperate and work with new coach Francisco Roig ahead of her Wimbledon title defence next month.

"For sure rest and then practise, but I'm not planning now," she said of her immediate plans.

"I have some obligations that I always do after Roland Garros, and then probably I'll go somewhere other than Poland to practise on grass."

For Kostyuk, reaching a first quarter-final in the French capital was just the latest high mark in a fine clay-court season, in which she also won a first WTA 1000 title at the Madrid Open.

"It's a good feeling. I think I just give myself more space. I'm enjoying more, just creating points, dealing with challenges, learning how to navigate the difficult situations in the matches. I have been doing it well, so happy with that," the 23-year-old, who is on a 15-match winning streak on the red dirt, said.

"Technically, I'm still underdog. We will see. Maybe a lot of things will change after this tournament or not. I'm not going to be considered underdog anymore, but I don't mind to be in both positions. I take it as it is."

Kostyuk will face seventh-seeded compatriot Elina Svitolina for a spot in the semi-finals.

"She's a legend of Ukrainian tennis, and, you know, such an honour to share the court with her on Tuesday," Kostyuk said of the 31-year-old.

"She's paved the way for a lot of Ukrainian girls and boys, and she's doing great. And especially this year, she's doing unbelievable. So excited for this match."

D.Pan--ThChM