Try GOLD - Free
Swiatek pulls off epic comeback win over Rybakina, enters last 8
Hindustan Times Bengaluru
|June 02, 2025
The defending champion, chasing her fifth French Open title, rallied to beat the Kazakh in the fourth round
MUMBAI: In her last press conference a few days ago, Iga Swiatek joked that she does not have a poker face. On Sunday, she proved it.
Calmness, anger, worry, relief, and eventually, joy. She showed it all as she took on world No. 11 and former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in the fourth round of the French Open. In an emotional roller coaster that lasted two hours and 30 minutes on Court Philippe Chatrier, Swiatek eventually completed a 1-6, 6-3, 7-5 win to move into the quarter-final.
As she hit a forehand cross-court winner on match point, Swiatek let out a roar, pumped her fists and thumped her chest. This was a rare celebration for the defending champion chasing her fifth title so early in the tournament. But it was indicative of how deep she had to dig to get the win.
"She really pushed me and I needed to do something to get back in the game," Swiatek told former world No. 1 Mats Wilander in the courtside interview. "With (Rybakina) playing like that, I didn't have a lot of hope but I just kept fighting and I'm happy I did that. After every game, I felt I could loosen up more and at the end I was able to play my game."
This story is from the June 02, 2025 edition of Hindustan Times Bengaluru.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM Hindustan Times Bengaluru
Hindustan Times Bengaluru
Lucknow pacer Akash Singh makes a statement after the frustrating wait
LSG owed much for their 7-wicket victory at home on Friday to a long overdue breakout from left-arm pacer Akash Singh, who skilfully mixed cutaways and short-pitched deliveries to dismantle CSK’s top order and deliver his best IPL performance.
2 mins
May 17, 2026
Hindustan Times Bengaluru
HUMPBACK WHALE ‘TIMMY’ RELEASED AFTER MASSIVE RESCUE OP, DEAD
A humpback whale found dead this week off a Danish island has been identified as the animal released two weeks ago in a spectacular and contentious rescue effort, after repeatedly becoming stranded off Germany’s Baltic Sea coast, authorities said Saturday.
1 min
May 17, 2026
Hindustan Times Bengaluru
Trump’s officials draw up plans for fresh Iran strikes
The US is weighing a return to military strikes on Iran as President Donald Trump's top aides have drafted plans for if the leader decides to try to break the impasse with more bombs.
1 min
May 17, 2026
Hindustan Times Bengaluru
India against decade of disasters, PM warns
Describing India as a “land of opportunities”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that the country is undergoing an “unprecedented transformation” and its aspirations are “no longer limited to its borders”.
3 mins
May 17, 2026
Hindustan Times Bengaluru
Ebola variant causing DR Congo outbreak is rare, has no vaccine yet, health officials warn
{ BUNDIBUGYO STRAIN }
1 min
May 17, 2026
Hindustan Times Bengaluru
RAHUL DEMANDS EDU MINISTER'S REMOVAL OVER NEET PAPER LEAK
Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the immediate resignation of education minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the cancellation of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test-Undergraduate (NEET-UG) held on May 3, following a widespread leak, alleging a “money-making nexus” between the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), its parent organisation Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), and affiliated faculty across universities.
1 min
May 17, 2026
Hindustan Times Bengaluru
COURT GRANTS ROBERT VADRA BAIL IN MONEY LAUNDERING CASE
A Delhi court on Saturday granted bail to businessman Robert Vadra in a money laundering case linked to a land deal in Haryana’s Shikohpur, observing that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had not arrested him during the investigation and his detention was not necessary.
1 min
May 17, 2026
Hindustan Times Bengaluru
Semenyo's magic moment fires City to FA Cup crown
This is City’s eighth FA Cup title and their second trophy this season after the League Cup in March
2 mins
May 17, 2026
Hindustan Times Bengaluru
Manipur Dy CMs key negotiators in abduction crisis
Manipur’s two deputy chief ministers, Losii Diko and Nemcha Kipgen, who represent the Naga and Kuki-Zo communities respectively, have emerged as key negotiators in the ongoing hostage crisis triggered by escalating Naga-Kuki clashes in the northeastern state, officials aware of the matter said on Saturday.
2 mins
May 17, 2026
Hindustan Times Bengaluru
PUTIN TO VISIT CHINA MAY 19-20, DAYS AFTER TRUMP TRIP
Russian President Vladimir Putin will travel to China on May 19 for a two-day visit, hot on the heels of US President Donald Trump's trip to Beijing, the Kremlin said on Saturday.
1 min
May 17, 2026
Listen
Translate
Change font size