In place for the last four. This Thursday afternoon, the Central Court of Roland-Garros hosts the semi-finals of the women’s draw. On one side, Iga Swiatek (n° 1) against Beatriz Haddad Maia (n° 14), on the other Aryna Sabalenka (n° 2) against Karolina Muchová (n° 43). Four contenders for a single crown… and a great favorite whose initials are IG
Can Haddad Maia make Swiatek wince?
Already winner in 2020 and 2022, Iga Swiatek seems on track to achieve the pass of three. The Pole literally flew over her first four games before dominating American Coco Gauff (6-4, 6-2 in 1:28) on Wednesday in the quarter-finals in a remake of the 2022 final.
Swiatek was surely thinking of finding Ons Jabeur. But the Tunisian (No. 7) completely lost the thread of her match against Beatriz Haddad Maia (3-6, 7-6, 6-1), who will be the first Brazilian at this stage of the competition in the era Open.
The South American, who had never done better than a second round in eleven Grand Slams, has already spent nearly 13 hours on the court against 5:32 for the world No. 1… Which could weigh heavily on the legs as well tension related to the event.
But it was she who won their only confrontation, on hard court, in Toronto last summer (6-4, 3-6, 7-5)! “I’m just going to try to have fun and fight on every point and give it my all on the pitch,” she sums up. I have nothing to lose. I will try to get there as much as I can…”
The Muchová surprise attacking Sabalenka
Aryna Sabalenka, she had never done better than a 3rd round in Paris. But for a few months, the Belarusian has entered another dimension with a first Grand Slam title at the last Australian Open. The WTA No. 2 didn’t really suffer to make her way to the semi-finals and still hasn’t conceded a single set.
The faller of Elina Svitolina was especially talked about for having skipped two press conferences in the name of her mental health, embarrassed by questions related to the invasion of Ukraine (her country supports Russia).
Opposite her, Karolína Muchová is the surprise guest at the end of the fortnight. The Czech, 26, strong with a half at the Australian Open (2021) and two quarters at Wimbledon (2019 and 2021) in her career, had never made more than three rounds on the side of the Porte d ‘Auteuil. After taking out the Greek Maria Sakkari (n° 8) as soon as she entered the running, the native of Olomouc did not let go.
“Looking back, it helped me to do this performance from the start, she analyzes. Aryna is a great player, very aggressive. I’m going to try to make things complicated for her to overwhelm her. I’m really happy to be here, but I’m not jaded. I’m making sure this continues…”
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