Iga Swiatek became the first Polish player to win a Grand Slam singles title at Roland Garros on Saturday, putting in a dominant display to defeat Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin 6-4 6-1.

Swiatek has conquered all before her this week, and although Kenin but up a brave fight, the 19-year-old from Poland was just too good. Her tally of just 28 games dropped in Paris is the fewest games dropped en route to the title here since Steffi Graf – another teenage sensation – lost just 20 games here when winning the title in 1988.

It is one of a number of impressive statistics that give an indication of the level that Swiatek has been exhibiting here this fortnight. Her game is so mature that it is easy to forget how young she is too – at 19 years of age, she is the youngest women’s singles champion at Roland Garros since Monica Seles won her the last of her three titles in Paris at the age of 18 in 1992.

The historical significance was not lost on Swiatek. “I'm just proud of myself,” She said later. “I've done a great job past two weeks. I wasn't expecting to win this trophy. It's obviously amazing for me. It's a life-changing experience. I just feel like I kind of made history.”

The opening set was the toughest that Swiatek has contested in the tournament. Twice she broke the Kenin serve, and twice the American reeled her back in. But she achieved the crucial break of serve as Kenin served to stay in the set at 4-5 down, getting the better of an eight-shot exchange on set point as Kenin hit wide.

A rare error-strewn game from the Pole saw Kenin take an early lead in the second set. But it was short-lived as Swiatek hit straight back, breaking the American’s serve once again to get back on level terms. She never looked back. Five games later, she could fling her arms aloft and celebrate, as another beautifully-struck forehand sailed into empty court.

“I know that my topspin forehand can be dangerous,” Swiatek, already a master of understatement, analysed afterwards. “I don't know actually where that came from because I always played like huge topspin and I love to spin the ball. Really, I mean, I just have my instincts. I think this is helping me a lot.”

In this most peculiar of seasons, she will have plenty of time to digest her success, with just one WTA tournament currently on the schedule before the end of the year. All being well, she will then be back here to defend her title in a little over eight months’ time.

Before all of that, a glorious homecoming in Poland awaits.

“I know it's going to be crazy,” she said. “I think I'm going to get used to that, it's not going to be a problem for me. I didn't have problem with getting attention, with people surrounding me. I think it's going to be okay for me.”

Her level-headed performances this week certainly suggest that she will have few issues adjusting to her new life as a Grand Slam champion.

For Kenin, who was aiming to win her second major crown after her phenomenal achievement at the Australian Open this year, she will, given time, surely look back at this event as another successful Grand Slam fortnight. Despite struggling with an injury which saw her take a medical time-out in the second set, she was quick to praise Swiatek’s performance today.

“I feel like she served really well,” Kenin said. “She dictated really well with her forehand. Especially in the first set, a few shots here and there just didn't go my way. She played some great tennis.

“Then, yeah, unfortunately my leg wasn't in the best condition, I guess. It was obviously really disappointing.”

Once the initial pain of this defeat has faded, the American, who is just two years older than Swiatek, will reflect on 2020 as a year full of positives.

For Swiatek, the joy of winning her first Grand Slam title will, hopefully, soon sink in.

“Right now when I'm here and I'm a Grand Slam champion, it's crazy,” she said. Considering the way she has played at Roland Garros this year, it’s a feeling she may have to get used to.