Iga Swiatek guilty of 'total collapse' in shock French Open exit to Marta Kostyuk - 'Didn't see enough fight'

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TNT Sports expert Anne Keothavong said world No. 3 Iga Swiatek was guilty of a "total collapse" on Court Philippe-Chatrier as she was defeated in straight sets by Marta Kostyuk.

'Tough match' - Watch as Kostyuk fires huge ace to trouble Swiatek

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While the pair largely traded blow-for-blow early on in a high-octane start, Kostyuk began to show why she is undefeated on clay this season with some astounding tennis to leave Swiatek frustrated in an eventual 7-5 6-1 scoreline.
And Keothavong questioned just how the second set got away from Swiatek in the way it did.
"The first set we saw a lot of high-quality exchanges," Keothavong said. "There was a total collapse from Swiatek in the second set, I didn't see enough fight.
"I didn't see any desire to change anything out there. Credit to Marta Kostyuk, she's going from strength to strength, the only woman who has yet to lose a match on clay this season. She's looking good, moving well, and she looks relaxed as well."
Kostyuk applied an immense amount of pressure on Swiatek's serve through her advanced return position.
At times around a metre inside the court, the Ukrainian was taking Swiatek's serve early and at pace, which culminated with three first-set breaks which left the four-time Roland-Garros champion chasing the match from a set down.
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Swiatek 'does not look comfortable' as Kostyuk wins opening set with shock looming

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Swiatek had initially taken the lead in the opener, taking the first break for 4-3 after darting a delightful backhand winner to win the point of the match.
But, on her 25th birthday, Swiatek could not capitalise. From her advantageous position, she was broken in her next three service games as Kostyuk charged ahead.
As Swiatek went inside to change kit in a stoppage of nearly 10 minutes between sets, Kostyuk appeared relaxed - dancing on the Paris showcourt - before picking up exactly where she left off to clinch her first career victory over Swiatek.
Kostyuk, who came to Roland-Garros off the back of two clay titles, recovered from behind to once again take consecutive breaks against Swiatek, whose rasping game - and any kind of poise - was quickly evading her.
The break to love for a 3-1 lead was the clearest sign the match was swiftly getting away from Swiatek, who was guilty of some costly errors.
She appeared frustrated as she attempted thumping winners at every opportunity to get back into the match, but it backfired, and afforded the world No. 15 an opportunity to serve out the match. She made no mistake.
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Experts react to 'total collapse' from Swiatek in shock loss to Kostyuk - 'I didn't see any fight'

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TNT Sports expert Tim Henman questioned why Swiatek failed to change her tactical approach when the match was getting away from her.
"The lack of recognition from Swiatek as to what works and what doesn't," Henman said. "What doesn't work is unforced errors.
"At every level of this sport it's about not making mistakes. Admittedly, you've got to be able to hit the ball pretty hard and go close to the line, but Swiatek made probably 40 unforced errors and around 13 winners, that's a huge differential.
"If you're giving your opponent a 30-love start in every game, you're going to be up against it, there never was a change of tactic to say OK, I'm going to stay in this rally, play with shape, ask my opponent to try and hit winners.
"After that first set it snowballed so quickly. 7-5 6-1 is a hugely disappointing result for someone who has had so much success here."
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Kostyuk 'still in shock' after beating Swiatek in straight sets - 'I play tennis because I love it'

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'I'm not playing tennis to win'

Speaking in her on-court interview, Kostyuk delved into her mindset during her formidable clay-court season.
"I'm still in shock," Kostyuk said. "To beat such an unbelievable player, who won four times here, I lost four times to her before this. I never took a set off her. It's incredible. I still cannot believe it. Thank you [to the crowd] for the energy today."
Asked why she has been so strong in the clay-court season, she replied: "I don't know. I've given myself more space to create something, challenge my opponents. The most important thing I've been doing this whole time is trying to enjoy it.
"I woke up today and all I thought about is what an unbelievable day I have to live today, play on Chatrier against Iga.
"I want to keep enjoying. I try not to focus at all on winning or losing because I'm not playing tennis to win, I'm playing because I love it, because I want to connect to people, feel this energy coming to the court, make people happy and unite people."
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