Unprecedented since 1968. For the first time in the Open era, none of the top ten seeds in the women’s table reaches the semi-finals of Roland-Garros: the four players qualified for the last four are almost unknown to the general public. . Greek Maria Sakkari (18e) joined, Wednesday June 9, the Czech Barbora Krejcikova (33e) in the neophytes’ club, inaugurated the day before by the Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (32e) and Slovenian Tamara Zidansek (85e).
Maria Sakkari eliminates Iga Swiatek
On the Philippe-Chatrier court, the Polish Iga Swiatek, defending champion, was therefore eliminated in straight sets, Wednesday, June 9, by the astonishing Maria Sakkari (6-4, 6-4). The 25-year-old Greek was playing her first Grand Slam match at this level. World number nine, Swiatek had easily won his four previous meetings.
The young Polish girl got off to the best start, to lead 2-0, but Sakkari immediately got back on her feet. With four games everywhere, the athletic Athenian, with heavy hitting and impeccable ground coverage, signed a series of four games in a row, pocketing the first set and making the break in the second. It was at this point that Swiatek called in the physiotherapist, returning to the court with a strap around the right thigh.
Serene, Sakkari continued his recital, dictating the rhythm of the exchanges. The power and length of his forehand often hampered his opponent in the diagonal of the court. This is the Greek’s second victory over a top 10 Grand Slam player, the second in a row, after her success against American Sofia Kenin (6-1, 6-3) in the previous round.
” I do not know what to say. It’s a dream come true ”, explained Maria Sakkari, who will face Czech Barbora Krejcikova in the next round for a place in the final.
Barbora Krejcikova extinguishes Cori Gauff
Ranked 33e world player, Barbora Krejcikova had qualified a little earlier by beating the American Cori “Coco” Gauff, in two sets (7-6, 6-3), opening, for the first time, at 25 years old, the gates of a Grand Slam semi-final.
The latter had started the match well, dominating her opponent from the baseline. But the first set was ultimately a succession of missed opportunities for the 17-year-old prodigy, who wasted five set points. In the tie-break, Krejcikova managed to snatch the first set, helped by the many shots in the net of her opponent.
After this first battle of one hour and ten, Barbora Krejcikova took the upper hand mentally during a second set completely missed by Cori Gauff. The American did not solve her problems and was irritated, to the point of losing her usual cool and breaking her racquet following a double fault, conceding a shutout on her serve. After five match points, Barbora Krejcikova finally managed to conclude.
