The Grand Slam season continues with the French Open, and all eyes are on Iga Świątek, the top contender in the women’s singles. Świątek, who has made a name for herself on the clay courts of Paris, is set to face qualifier Leolia Jeanjean in her opening match. Here’s everything you need to know about this exciting first-round clash.
The Queen of Clay Returns
No tournament is more synonymous with Iga Świątek than the French Open. The Polish star has dominated the Roland Garros courts, claiming the title three times (2020, 2022, and 2023). Out of her appearances, she has only been defeated twice at this prestigious event. In her debut in 2019, she fell to Simona Halep in the fourth round, and in 2021, Maria Sakkari stopped her run in the quarterfinals.
This year, Polish fans are optimistic that Świątek will once again be unbeatable. Her recent performances have been stellar, with victories in Madrid and Rome, where she triumphed over Aryna Sabalenka in thrilling finals. Sabalenka remains one of her biggest threats for the ultimate prize in Paris.
First Round Showdown: Świątek vs. Jeanjean
In her first match of the tournament, Świątek will face a much lower-ranked opponent, Leolia Jeanjean from France. Jeanjean, currently ranked 143rd in the WTA rankings, successfully navigated the qualifying rounds to earn her spot. At 28 years old, Jeanjean hails from Montpellier and has never faced Świątek before, making their Monday clash in Paris their inaugural encounter.
The winner of this match will advance to face Naomi Osaka, who overcame Lucia Bronzetti in a tough three-set battle on Sunday, winning 6:1, 4:6, 7:5.
French Open 2024 Schedule and Potential Matchups for Świątek
Tournament Schedule:
- Round 1: May 26-28
- Round 2: May 29-30
- Round 3: May 31 – June 1
- Round 4: June 2-3
- Quarterfinals: June 4-5
- Semifinals: June 6
- Final: June 8
Świątek’s Potential Opponents:
- Round 1: Leolia Jeanjean
- Round 2: Naomi Osaka
- Round 3: Marie Bouzkova, Jessica Bouzas, or Jana Fett
- Round 4: Potentially Barbora Krejcikova, Anastasia Potapova, or Ekaterina Alexandrova
- Quarterfinals: Possibly Marketa Vondrousova, Marta Kostyuk, Katerina Siniakova, or Danielle Collins
- Semifinals: Potentially Coco Gauff, Beatriz Haddad Maia, Ons Jabeur, or Jelena Ostapenko
- Final: Potential opponents include Aryna Sabalenka, Jelena Rybakina, Maria Sakkari, or Qinwen Zheng
Prize Money and Points at Stake
Prize Pool:
- Round 1: €73,000 / 10 points
- Round 2: €110,000 / 70 points
- Round 3: €158,000 / 130 points
- Round 4: €250,000 / 240 points
- Quarterfinals: €415,000 / 430 points
- Semifinals: €650,000 / 780 points
- Finalist: €1,200,000 / 1300 points
- Winner: €2,400,000 / 2000 points
With such high stakes and a rigorous lineup, the French Open 2024 promises to be a thrilling event. As Świątek takes to the court, fans worldwide will be eagerly watching to see if she can once again reign supreme on the clay of Roland Garros.
