The 5’4″ Italian will need to raise her game to an even higher level to prevent Swiatek from winning her third consecutive title in Paris.

Hopefully she also believes she can win. She should. Swiatek will bring experience, confidence, superior firepower, and a kick serve and topspin ground strokes that may force Paolini to hit the ball from above her shoulder. But against Rybakina, who is also an attacking player—and who beat Swiatek a few weeks ago in Stuttgart—Paolini was able to counter-punch with her own loose, versatile baseline attack. She’s a speedster, but she’s also a shot-maker who is adept at offense and defense, topspin and slice. While Swiatek is 2-0 against her, they haven’t played since 2022.

Read More: Iga Swiatek serves up fourth Roland Garros final, eases past Coco Gauff in Paris

“We played a long time ago,” Swiatek says, “so I need to prepare tactically and see what her game is at now, because for sure she’s playing—she has [had] the best season, so she must have changed something.”

In the 2023 final, Swiatek faced another neophyte in Karolina Muchova, who ended up giving her a three-set run. Paolini has a chance to do the same. If she can turn the rallies into scrappy, up-and-back affairs, her instincts and court sense could allow her to thrive. But I don’t think they’ll allow her to win. Winner: Swiatek