Women’s Singles Semi-final: Iga Swiatek v Coco Gauff
Swiatek, the world no. 1, is eyeing her fifth Grand Slam title after a series of dominant performances. She has reached the Roland Garros semifinals for the fourth time, showcasing her dominance on clay. Swiatek’s path to the semis included a dramatic second-round win over Naomi Osaka, followed by emphatic victories against Anastasia Potapova (6-0, 6-0) and Marketa Vondrousova (6-0, 6-2). With 19 consecutive wins at Roland-Garros and a 17-match winning streak on clay, she remains a formidable force. “Iga is incredible,” said Gauff, acknowledging the challenge in front of her. “Her consistency and mental toughness are unmatched.”
Gauff has also had a notable run, including a comeback victory against Ons Jabeur. Despite struggling with her first serve, she prevailed 4-6, 6-2, 6-3. The 20-year-old has reached her fourth major semifinal and second in Paris, showing her growing prowess. Gauff’s previous performances this tournament include wins over Tamara Zidansek and Dayana Yastremska. She remained confident, saying, “I have nothing to lose. All the pressure is on her.”
Head-to-Head
Swiatek has a dominant 10-1 record against Gauff, with all the victories coming in straight sets, including their encounters at Roland Garros in 2022 and 2023. Gauff’s sole win came in Cincinnati last year. Despite the odds, Gauff remains optimistic. “I’m just going in with confidence,” she said. “I can’t think of past matches; every match is winnable.”
What they said
Swiatek praised Gauff’s mental strength: “She’s getting better every year. It’s impressive to see her growth.”
Gauff, reflecting on her progress, said, “I think you just get older and learn how to handle the pressures a little bit more.”
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Women’s Singles Semi-final : Jasmine Paolini v Mirra Andreeva
Paolini has had a career-defining tournament. At 28, she had never progressed past the second round of a Grand Slam until now. Her remarkable run includes upsetting former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4, and overcoming tough opponents like Bianca Andreescu and Elina Avanesyan in deciding sets. Paolini’s rise has been steady; ranked outside the top 70 in March 2023, she climbed to world no. 15 with significant performances, including a WTA 1000 title in Dubai. She now stands as a Roland Garros semifinalist and a top 10 player.
At just 17, Andreeva has taken the tennis world by storm. Her dramatic victory over world no. 2 Aryna Sabalenka, who was struggling with illness, was a testament to her bold and fearless play. Andreeva’s journey to the semifinals included victories over Victoria Azarenka, Peyton Stearns, and Varvara Gracheva. This teenage sensation is the youngest Grand Slam semifinalist since Martina Hingis in 1997 and is set to break into the top 25. Despite her age, Andreeva has shown maturity and composure, embodying a fearless spirit on court.
Head-to-Head
The two players have met once before, with Andreeva winning their Madrid encounter in straight, but tight sets. “She plays really fast,” Andreeva said of Paolini. “She moves really fast. She really goes for it. But I will play the same as today, with the same ‘cold head.'”
What they said
“This career-defining result is not coming out of the blue,” said Paolini, reflecting on her journey.
“I just imagined it was a break point and tried to be brave and I managed to win,” said Andreeva about her second match point against Sabalenka.
Men’s Doubles Semi-final: Rohan Bopanna/Matt Ebden v Simone Bolelli/Andrea Vavassori
Rohan Bopanna’s remarkable career continues as he steps on to the court today for the French Open 2024 doubles semi-final alongside his partner, Matt Ebden. The Indo-Aussie pair will face the Italian duo of Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori. This matchup, with a head-to-head record of 2-1 in favour of Bopanna-Ebden, promises to be a thrilling contest.
Bopanna: Dominating at Level 44
Bopanna’s performances in 2024 has been nothing short of extraordinary. At 44, he continues to defy age and expectations, showcasing a level of dominance and consistency that sets him apart.
The year began with a strong start at the Adelaide International, where he and Ebden reached the final. At the Australian Open, Bopanna’s brilliance shone as the pair advanced to the final, marking Bopanna’s 500th doubles win and securing his first Major doubles title after 61 attempts and 19 partners.
Strategic choices not to defend points at certain tournaments saw Bopanna temporarily lose the top ranking to Ebden, but he reclaimed it with a victory at the Dubai Tennis Championships. Despite setbacks at Indian Wells and other tournaments, Bopanna’s resilience was evident in a significant win at the Miami Open, setting a record as the oldest ATP Masters 1000 finalist and champion.
April brought challenges, but his determination remained unshaken. At the Italian Open, the Indo-Aussie pair advanced to the second round before falling to Bolelli and Vavassori, setting the stage for today’s rematch at Roland Garros.
Having already secured the Australian Open title this year, Bopanna and Ebden are poised to push the bar higher at the French Open. Bopanna’s journey is a testament to what perseverance, passion, and determination can achieve. At 44, he continues to inspire, proving that age is never an excuse. As they prepare for today’s semifinal, all eyes will be on Bopanna and Ebden, with hopes high for another Grand Slam triumph.
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