Iga Swiatek may be the most successful active star in women's tennis but even the five-time grand slam champ admitted she really needed the pick-me-up that her hard-earned triumph over Elena Rybakina has given her at Roland Garros.
The Pole, who's after a fifth French Open crown and a fourth in succession, has been struggling for confidence all season but the way she dug herself out of deep trouble to defeat former Wimbledon champ Rybakina in Sunday's terrific fourth-round clash has flooded her with timely new belief.
The 24-year-old was trailing by a set and 2-0 on Court Philippe Chatrier, and appeared in danger of getting blown away by the clean-striking firepower of the Kazakh which Swiatek likened to having to face Jannik Sinner.
