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Swiatek vs Muchova predictions: Czech underdog can push Polish star
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Liam Flin
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Iga Swiatek and Karolina Muchova will meet on Court Philippe-Chatrier
Iga Swiatek and Karolina Muchova will meet on Court Philippe-Chatrier

- Two-time French Open champion Iga Swiatek boasts a 27-2 career record at Roland Garros
- Karolina Muchova leads Iga Swiatek 2-0 in head-to-head meetings (one official, one unofficial)
- Recommended bet: Iga Swiatek to win and over 18.5 games

The French Open women's singles tournament concludes on Saturday as world number one Iga Swiatek bids to retain her grip on the clay-court crown when she takes on Czech player Karolina Muchova on Court Philippe-Chatrier.

Polish star Swiatek, a champion in both 2020 and 2022, has chalked up a Rafael Nadal-like record on the slow courts of the French capital but Muchova, who defeated second seed Aryna Sabalenka to reach this stage, will be intent on causing another shock.

The stats

Despite a few wobbles and injury issues in recent months, Swiatek is the dominant figure in women's tennis and Sabalenka's defeat on Thursday means that the Pole will keep hold of her number one status regardless of the result of the French Open final.

Swiatek has reached a third Parisian showpiece in typically ruthless style, winning all five completed matches in straight sets, including a hard-fought victory over Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia in Thursday semi-final.

Haddad Maia pushed Swiatek all the way in the second set, taking the Pole to a tie-break, something which only one other player (Qinwen Zheng in 2022) has managed in Swiatek's 26 other French Open victories, only two of which went to a deciding set.

As a result, it is no surprise that Swiatek is heavily odds-on in the match and to win 2-0, but Muchova reigned supreme in their only previous WTA-sanctioned meeting, on the Prague clay in 2019, before beating her in an exhibition match in 2020.

And the resurgent Czech has enjoyed a fairytale run to the Roland Garros final, winning four of her six matches by a 2-0 scoreline and coming from 5-2 down in the third to battle past Sabalenka, saving a match point in the process.

Prediction

As odds of 1/10 suggest, Swiatek is unquestionably the one to beat in this French Open final but the Pole was required to dig deep to get the job done against Haddad Maia and she will not be taking this clash with Muchova lightly.

Swiatek has so few weaknesses in her game. Her speed, accuracy and depth of shot make her a formidable opponent, and she is clearly been the best clay-court player on the WTA Tour over the last three or so seasons.

However, Muchova's ability to overcome adversity should not be underestimated – she was told a year ago that she might have to give up the sport following an injury sustained in the French Open third round – and she is already overcome the odds to defeat Sabalenka.

Muchova was magnificent against the Belarusian, going toe-to-toe with one of the biggest hitters in the women's game, and while Swiatek represents a different test, the Czech has shown that she can cope with the world number one's considerable weaponry.

Swiatek, who also boasts the greater experience at the sharp end of the biggest events, is the most likely winner but Muchova is brimming with confidence and can push her all the way. She is capable of turning this into a lengthier contest than the match odds suggest.

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