Fans serenade birthday girl Swiatek after waltz into last-16 at French Open

Paul Myers

31 May 2024 at 2:21 pm·1-min read

Fans on Court Philippe Chatrier regaled the defending champion Iga Swiatek with the Happy Birthday song on Friday afternoon after the top seed celebrated her 23rd birthday with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over the unseeded Czech Marie Bouzkova to reach the last-16 at the French Open.

Two days ago on the same court, Swiatek saved a match point to emerge from a three-hour struggle with the former world number one Naomi Osaka.

After her win, she used her on-court interview to plead with spectators to control themselves and not scream out during points.

Less than 18 hours after her comments about the poor etiquette on one of the most famous courts in world tennis, French Open tournament director Amélie Mauresmo announced a package of measures including a ban on alcohol in the stands in an effort to reduce rowdy antics.

Any fears of a fan backlash were quickly dispelled as the Pole walked onto the centre court amid cheers.

She served for the opener at 5-2 but fluffed that chance. But the three-time champion made no mistakes at the second time of asking. Bouzkova, ranked 41 places beneath Swiatek, showed superb athleticism to keep herself in several rallies but Swiatek's superior firepower and court craft crushed her resistance.

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