Unthinkable scenario this Thursday afternoon on Parisian clay. The Czech Karolina Muchova, 43rd in the world, dominated in three sets (7-6, 6-7, 7-5) the Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka, 2nd player in the WTA rankings, to reach the final of Roland-Garros, her first final in Grand Slam. A huge performance for the one who had never passed the third round in Paris.
Already falling for the Greek Maria Sakkari (8th in the world) for her entry into the running, Muchova has never ceased to surprise. She is now waiting for her opponent: the boss of the circuit Iga Swiatek or another surprise, the Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia (14th in the world). The Czech’s best career Grand Slam result was a semi-final at the Australian Open in 2021.
Faced with the power of Aryna Sabalenka, who was stubborn in this register (44 winning shots, 53 unforced errors), the 26-year-old player responded with a foolproof defense as well as a high quality of service. All in more than three hours (3h13) of play under a blazing sun. But Muchova was the most solid, the most consistent (38 winners, 27 unforced errors only, 100% of break points converted). Until finding the resources when she was trailing 2-5 (0-30), Sabalenka service, in the 3rd set. The victory of a champion.
