Sakkari beats Swiatek to set up French Open semi-final with Krejcikova
She will face Czech Barbora Krejcikova, who won a nervy encounter with American teenager Coco Gauff 7-6 (8-6) 6-3. Sakkari, the 17th seed, is now the highest-ranked woman in the draw after seeing off Swiatek 6-4 6-4." I am speechless; it is a dream come true," said the 25-year-old. "It is a very nice feeling."Krejcikova, meanwhile, saved five set points from 17-year-old Gauff in the opener before the world number 33 went on to seal victory on her sixth match point.
"I never imagined I would be standing here one day," said Krejcikova."Already for me, this is something I have never dreamed of. I was really playing a great match, and Coco is incredible - she is 17, it's amazing."It means all four semi-finalists in Paris are into the last four at a Grand Slam for the first time. Russian 31st seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova will face Slovenia's world number 85 Tamara Zidansek in the opening semi-final.
Eighth seed Swiatek headed into her quarter-final meeting with Sakkari as the highest-ranked woman left in the draw, but her title defence ended as she struggled with a thigh injury in the second set. Sakkari had already taken a hard-fought opening set in which the pair exchanged early breaks. It was the 25-year-old who then edged into the lead and held on to clinch set point with a punchy backhand winner, roaring to the 5,000 fans inside Court Philippe Chatrier.
After being broken early in the second, Swiatek had treatment on her right leg and needed a medical timeout, returning with her thigh heavily strapped. Swiatek had won 22 sets in a row at Roland Garros but saw that record ended by Sakkari, who played smartly as she unpicked the Pole's usually reliable forehand. Afterwards, Swiatek said her injury was "nothing serious" but added she had been "stressed" in the build-up and had only slept for "a few hours".
"I didn't play my best tennis, that's for sure," said the 2018 junior Wimbledon champion."Maria did a good job with playing at my forehand, which wasn't working pretty well. It's good for her that she saw that. She picked good tactics."I think the past couple of weeks hit me yesterday. I didn't have good days; I couldn't do physical recovery well because I was stressed."I didn't play well tactically and also technically. I was on my heels."
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