Sabalenka Moves Into French SF Against Muchova; Swiatek v Gauff QF

by Staff | June 6th, 2023, 8:32 pm
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Aryna Sabalenka moved into her first French Open semifinal by overpowering fell-good story Elina Svitolina 6-4, 6-4.

“On the court I feel really good, with every match I feel like I’m getting better and better. I’m just focusing on myself and trying to bring my best tennis to the court,” Sabalenka said.

Sabalenka, who had never been past the third round in Paris, dominated Svitolina’s second serve and simply outclassed the former No. 3 from the baseline.


“She’s such a tough opponent, moving well and what she’s doing after giving birth is impressive, big respect to her. It was such a tough match, super happy with the win,” Sabalenka added.

Semi-final against Muchova: “Yeah I’ve seen her matches, she’s playing really great tennis and winning against a lot of tough opponents, fighting for every point, moving very well, playing great clay court tennis. So it’s going to be a great battle and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Svitolina fell in her third French quarter, but this was an incredible last few weeks.

“I tried to put it like I have nothing to lose. I was coming to this tournament with zero hopes, with zero expectations for myself,” Svitolina said.

“Of course, [I’m] disappointed that I didn’t go further today, but I did my best. I left everything out there.”

Sabalenka has now won her last 12 matches in Slams. She’s now made the semifinals at all four Slams.

On Thursday, she’ll face another first-time French Open semifinalist on the resurgent Karolina Muchova. The Czech eased into her second career Slam semifinal ousting former finalist Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 7-5, 6-2.

The two who were both off the tour with injuries, saw Muchova get on top early and despite failing her first chance to serve out the opener, she did the second time.

In the second set, Muchova took total control over a fading Pavlyuchenkova.

“I don’t know what to say. It’s been an incredible two weeks and I’m just glad I’m still in the competition,” Muchova said.

Sabalenka looks forward to the meeting, then second after the Belarussian won in 2019 Zhuhai.

“Yeah I’ve seen her matches, she’s playing really great tennis and winning against a lot of tough opponents, fighting for every point, moving very well, playing great clay court tennis,” Sabalenka said. “So it’s going to be a great battle and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Tomorrow, in the big showdown Iga Swiatek will collide with Coco Gauff in a rematch of their 2022 final. Swiatek comes in having won 23 of her last 24 games and against Gauff she has won all six meetings and all 12 sets.

Ons Jabeur is also in action eying her first French semifinal against the marathon woman from Brazil Beatriz Haddad Maia. Jabeur leads 1-0 having just won in Stuttgart.


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