For the first time at the French Open this year, Iga Swiatek was struggling. As she faced Danka Kovinic of Montenegro in the third round, she had not produced her best but still coolly moved to a 6-3, 4-1 lead with a double break.
Just as Swiatek seemed to be progressing to victory, she hit a wall. Her forehand, already lagging in the first set, crumbled. Within a few minutes, Swiatek had lost four consecutive games in a row, including a run of 11 points. As she flailed, Kovinic, a talented shotmaker with an enormous first serve, played freely.
