At 2-1 to Gauff, 20, in the second set, the American got into a heated argument with the referee after a point.
Swiatek served and the linesman called it out, whereupon the umpire intervened and said the ball was fair, calling it 15–15.
World No. 3 Gauff approached the referee and complained while parts of the crowd booed.
– He shouted before I hit the ball and I stopped my movement and couldn’t finish my swing. They boo because you’re wrong. I didn’t get a chance to finish my swing, said Gauff, who wanted them to check with the linesman.
“It was a wrong decision”
The judge refused to meet Gauff. The American started to cry before she could gather herself and resume the game.
– I understand Gauff’s frustration. It was a wrong decision by the referee and the score must be replayed, of course, said Eurosport’s commentator Maria Strandlund Tomsvik.
After the emotional outburst, however, Gauff broke and was able to advance to 3–1. Gauff saved a total of three match points before Swiatek was able to win the match and be in position to claim his fourth title at Roland Garros.
Gauff world second in the next ranking
However, it could have already ended in the second round when former world number one Naomi Osaka had a match point against Swiatek.
– Something changed after that match and I started to adapt better to the court. I’m so happy that I was able to handle it so well and now the weather has improved too, says Swiatek in a sunny and hot summer Paris where they played with the roof open.
Gauff can take solace in moving up to second place in the rankings – her highest ranking so far in her career.