2023-06-08 21:07:02
The Polish, world number 1, cut the way to the Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia (14) who prevailed in two sets 6/2, 7/6 (9/7) in the semifinals of the Paris Open. The Brazilian signs, however, a good fortnight at the Paris Open, where she made history by being the first Brazilian tennis player to reach a Grand Slam semifinal since Maria Bueno at the US Open 55 years ago.
Swiatek seeks her third Roland Garros against the Czech Karolina Muchova (43) who surprisingly beat the world number 2, the Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka (7/6, 6/7, 7/5).
If someone gave the world number 1 the battle in this edition, it was the Brazilian in these semifinals, the first in the tournament that managed to win six games, in the second leg, but it was not enough for Beatriz Haddad Maia to continue making history on the Parisian courts.
The Brazilian had impressed in her previous matches by winning the last three, after coming back from a set down. This time, the left-footed almost succeeded, since after having lost the first set, she broke the opponent’s serve in the second, but was unable to take advantage of the advantage, wasted three break points and Swiatek took back what was hers to finally resolve the second sleeve in a vibrant tie break (9/7)
Haddad Maia leaves, however, with her head held high as she is the first Brazilian to reach these levels since 1968.
Swiatek is therefore back in the final for the second consecutive year, the last time a tennis player achieved it was the Romanian Simona Halep (2017, 2018), in addition, at 22 years old she is the youngest tennis player to play the final twice in a row in Paris since Ana Ivanovic (2007, 2008).
Sabalenka, eliminated by the world number 43
Against all odds, the Belarusian, Aryna Sabalenka, fell in three sets to the Czech Karolina Muchova (43) 7/6, 6/7, 7/5. The Australian Open champion sowed many doubts during the match against racket number 43 in the world. Both were playing their first semifinal at Roland Garros and Sabalenka was undoubtedly the favourite.
The start of the match was quite monotonous and insipid, neither of the two players displayed great tennis. The excitement, however, came with a break from the Czech that went to 5 -4 and served. After wasting a set ball, the Belarusian, Aryna Sabalenka, recoveredfrom the service equaling the first set that finally ended in a tie break for Muchova, who thus presented some credentials and the promise that this was not going to be easy for Sabalenka.
In the second set it was Muchova who was surprised by the Belarusian who broke her serve, to go ahead 4 to 3, but it did not last very long, because she immediately checked the equalfrom. In the tenth game for 5-5, the Belarusian scored two aces giving a sample that this set was going to be for her, she looked for the angles and finally took it in the tie break.
Thus the match was relaunched, with a third set in which the Belarusian finally began to show that, although the public was doubting it, she is 41 places above the Czech in the world rankings.
It was not enough in the face of Muchova’s tenacity, who put up a defense with almost no cracks. The two players were playing in a Roland Garros semifinal for the first time and it was finally Muchova who prevailed against a disappointing number 2. Muchova becomes the fifth Czech to reach a final at Roland Garros.
The expected duel between Djokovic and Alcaraz
This Friday it will be the turn of the men’s team. Who will play the final of Roland Garros 2023? The first duel is already interpreted by many as the anticipated final, between the world number 1, Carlos Alcaraz, and the third best racket on the planet, the Serbian Novak Djokovic. The new generation against one of the survivors of the trident Djokovic, Federer, Nadal.
Djokovic, champion on the Parisian clay in 2016 and 2021, seeks his third Musketeers Cup in this edition and his 23rd victory in a Grand Slam, to surpass Rafael Nadal’s 22. Will Alcaraz become his new nightmare on clay? The other finalist will come out of the duel between the Norwegian Casper Ruud (4) and the German Alexander Zverev (22).
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