Before this year’s French Open, Jil Teichmann (WTA 24) was still waiting for her first win in the sand major’s main draw. Now she is the only Swiss representative in the second week of Roland Garros. A sensational performance that she had to wait a long time for.
Teichmann made it after three hours and 18 minutes. Despite a temporary deficit of 4:6, 2:4, the 24-year-old manages the big turnaround against Viktoria Asarenka to reach the round of 16 (4:6, 7:5, 7:6). “It’s my best result in a Grand Slam and means everything to me,” says an exhausted but happy Teichmann after her victory.
Measures “only preventive”
During the thriller, the idyll of the botanical garden at Court Simonne-Mathieu turns into a noisy madhouse. The crowd is clearly on Teichmann’s side, whipping her at every point and giving her additional strength. A feeling “like playing at home,” she says on the court.
Teichmann runs up against Asarenka with a bandage on his left thigh. During the game she also has to be treated for a short time. Is it the first signs of wear? Or even worse? Already on Thursday she was on the court for more than three hours in doubles with Viktorija Golubic. Everything is fine, she assures. The treatment and the tape are “only preventive”.
Now the Barcelona-born Seelander is the only remaining Swiss in the individual tableau. Before the tournament, Teichmann was considered an insider tip for the second week. Her semi-finals in the “Caja Magica” at the Madrid Masters made everyone sit up and take notice.
unlucky with injuries
Your previous Grand Slam yield has been rather meager so far. She reached the second round twice at the US Open and once at the Australian Open. Teichmann often struggles with injuries. This was also the case last year, plagued by injuries, when she had to pass the French Open. In between, however, she regularly lets her qualities flash, such as reaching the final of the 1000 in Cincinnati.
“It’s no surprise to me. I knew I had the level to be here. But I had to confirm it, and I’m doing that now, »says Teichmann.
She also wants to show it against her next opponent. Against Sloane Stephens (USA, ATP 64) it will be a duel with a good friend (Sunday, around 4:15 p.m.). The Roland Garros finalist from 2018 and Teichmann have already competed together in doubles, the mutual respect is great. They have never played against each other on the WTA tour. For Teichmann, however, one thing is clear: “It’s incredible to be in the second week. I want to go further.”
