Tops
To discover
- Roland Garros Men's Singles
- Roland Garros Women's Singles
Muchava's panache and emotion
Her elegant and varied playing derailed the Aryna Sabalenka strike machine. After a superb showdown of 3:13, Karolina Muchova, 43rd player in the world, overthrew the Belarusian in the semifinals (7-6 [5], 6-7 [5], 7-5). The 26-year-old Czech, who had never done better than a third round on the Parisian clay, came back from very far in the third set before winning the last five games and qualifying for her first Grand Slam final. A few seconds after the match ball and after greeting the public, the 43rd player in the world could not hold back her tears even if she preferred to hide them under her towel. To savor his daydream and erase a sad memory. A year ago, she twisted her ankle in the 3rd round and left Court Suzanne-Lenglen in tears.
Sporting fairness preserved by the organisers
Due to pressure from national and international TV broadcasters, the Djokovic - Alcaraz clash could have been played in the second rotation after the other Ruud-Zverev semifinal. This is not the case. Tournament director Amélie Mauresmo and the organizers have ruled in favor of sporting fairness, despite pressure from broadcasters. Priority therefore as every year, to the recovery of the players. Zverev and Ruud scrapped on Wednesday. Djokovic and Alcaraz had snatched their qualification on Tuesday. This logical choice is nevertheless to be welcomed when we know the weight of rights holders. And quite a gift for the ticket holders of the first semi-final.
Kato's Pretty Revenge
From tears to smiles. Unfairly disqualified in the women's doubles, after accidentally hitting a collector with a ball, Japan's Miya Kato won the mixed doubles tournament on Thursday with her partner Tim Pütz. Kato, who later said on Twitter that in addition to her lost disqualification she had her prize money and points for the women's doubles competition, received a lot of support from fellow players. "My disqualification is regrettable, I hope my appeal will result in a positive outcome. That way, I will be able to receive my points and my money." To close the loop.
The beautiful resistance of Haddad Maia
Defending champion and world number one Iga Swiatek started the tournament with some doubts. Ancient history. In steamroller, she has crushed the competition since the beginning of the tournament. The Pole had conceded only 15 games out of her six victories. In the semi-finals, the surprise Beatriz Haddad Maia was also swept away by the Polish tornado, despite a brave resistance. The Brazilian even got herself a set ball in an exciting decisive game snatched by the world number one 9-7.
Flops
Sabalenka's many direct fouls
The Minsk native missed a great opportunity to reach her first Porte d'Auteuil final, her second in a row after the Australian Open, toppled by surprise Karolina Muchova, after leading 5-2 in the final set. The Belarusian in the high-risk game committed no less than 53 direct faults (27 for Muchova) and was caught up by the pressure like her 6 double faults including two consecutive at 5/5 40-15 in the final set.
Empty stands for Muchava's first set – Sabalenka
The absent are always in the wrong. The first semi-final between Sabalenka and Muchova began in front of a half-empty stand and in a funeral atmosphere. Too bad because the show was at the rendezvous and the match did not start at lunchtime, but at 15 pm... In the second semi-final, the Phillipe Chatrier was also not sold out. Too bad again, because the four semi-finalists put on a show this Thursday.
