Chris Evert makes bold Iga Swiatek prediction as she takes a fourth French Open title

Tennis legend Chris Evert believes Iga Swiatek will overhaul her all-time record of seven French Open wins after the Polish star swept to a fourth Roland Garros title.

The world No 1 from Poland brushed aside Italian underdog Jasmine Paolini 6-2 6-1 in and hour and eight minutes.

King of Clay Rafael Nadal may have played his last French Open this year but Swiatek comprehensively proved once again she is also Roland Garros royalty.

She is the first woman to win three consecutive Roland Garros titles since Justine Henin in 2007 and only the third to achieve the feat in Open history, along with Monica Seles.

Swiatek is undefeated in Paris since 2021, 21 matches ago, and has won 34 of her 36 matches here, a record matched only by Seles and Chris Evert.

Such is her dominance there were even fears that Swiatek – who had already won one match 6-0 6-0 in 40 minutes this fortnight – could threaten the record for the fastest match of 32 minutes when Steffi Graf pulverised Natasha Zvereva by the same score in the 1988 final.

After all Paolini, the 12th seed, had until this year never been past the second round at a grand slam.

But the 28-year-old dispelled that notion when she survived a break point to hold in her first service game and then broke the world number one in the next.

She was cheered on by a healthy Italian contingent including one noisy corner who formed a tricolour mosaic with their green, white and red t-shirts.

But the bear had been poked and Paolini only won four more points in the next five games as Swiatek raced to the opening set.

Who are Jasmine Paolini’s parents? The diminutive Italian has a mix of roots from Poland to Ghana

She had won 10 in a row before Paolini got on the board again, but Swiatek wrapped up her fifth grand slam title moments later and sunk to her knees in celebration.

Swiatek is now just three titles behind Evert and the American great suggested Swiatek will ‘end up with double digits’ of wins at Roland Garros.

“I’m worried about it every day. When I put my head under the pillow I’m worried about Iga,” Evert told Eurosport , with a hint of irony in her voice.

“I think Iga will end up on double digits. I don’t just think she will beat my record here. I think it’s double digits.”

Swiatek seemed a little overwhelmed by the moment as she tried to sum up her words after being presented with the trophy by Evert and her long-time rival Martina Navratilova.

“I want to thank my team my family, without them I wouldn’t be here,” said Swiatek, who stopped on a few occasions during her on-court speech and was given calm encourgaement by Evert.

“I want to thank everyone who makes this tournament possible, as Jasmine said. I love this place, I wait every year to come back here. I was almost out of the tournament this second round so thank you for cheering for me, has been a really emotional tournament.”

Paolini also spoke to the crowd, as she admitted the run to the final in Paris was the highlight of her career.

“I have to say congratulations to you Iga. Playing you here is the toughest challenge in the sport. You are doing a great job – world number and many slams. I want to thank my team, my family, everyone who is cheering for me everyday. Congratulations to everyone who made this tournament special.

“The best days of my life I think. Tomorrow I have the doubles final. It’s been a very intense 15 days and I’m really happy to be here.

“Today was tough but I’m really proud of myself anyway. You were cheering for me and that is unbelievable.”