Iga Swiatek rallies to secures Olympic bronze after heartbreaking semi-final loss

The world number one suffered her first defeat in 26 matches at Roland Garros on Thursday to China's Zheng Qinwen and broke down in tears afterwards during a TV interview.

But she ensured she will go home with something after easing to a 6-2 6-1 victory over Slovakia's Anna-Karolina Schmiedlova.

Swiatek, whose father was an Olympic rower, said: "I think, had I not played today, I would be crying for a week. I cried for about six hours yesterday, so it was really tough.

"It's sport, it's tennis, usually I am good to understand it's just one part of my life, but this time it was like someone really broke my heart. It's crazy.

"Maybe because I am world number one for such a long time and won so many tournaments, I felt like I can handle everything. But this tournament showed me it is not the case."

Either China or Croatia will earn its first singles gold medal in Olympic tennis when Zheng Qinwen faces Donna Vekic in the Paris Games women's final on Saturday.

There is guaranteed to be a medal for two young Russian athletes in the women's doubles after Mirra Andreeva and Diana Shnaider won their semi-final. They will take on Italian duo Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini for the gold medal.

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