PARIS/STARNBERG, October 8, 2020
Teenager Iga Swiatek and No. 4 seed Sofia Kenin will meet in Saturday’s title match at Roland Garros.
In one of the most unexpected Grand Slam semi-finals in recent times, Swiatek fully justified her status as favourite with a 6-2, 6-1 victory over Nadia Podoroska from Argentina in windy conditions on Thursday afternoon on Court Philippe-Chatrier. The 19-year-old won 70 per cent of her first-service points and converted five of her nine break point chances to become the first Polish woman in the Open Era to advance to the French Open championship match after one hour and 10 minutes of play.
Welcome to the final 👏
19-year-old @iga_swiatek dominates Podoroska 6-2 6-1 to become the first 🇵🇱 woman in the Open Era to reach the title match in Paris.#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/48CIv1C8vO
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) October 8, 2020
“I’m kind of surprised. Before the tournament, I didn’t think I could play so good here. On the other hand, I knew that if I was going to be in a Grand Slam final it would be here at the French Open. I love it here. This is a dream come true,” said Swiatek, who is back on court on Friday for a women’s doubles semi-final alongside her partner Nicole Melichar from the United States.
Swiatek, currently ranked World No. 54, has established herself as one of the most exciting young talents in the game since winning the Wimbledon junior title two years ago and has been unstoppable at this year’s Roland Garros so far having yet to lose a set en route to the final.
Kenin edges past Kvitova
Later in the day, Kenin overcame No.7 seed Petra Kvitova from the Czech Republic 6-4, 7-5 to reach her second Grand Slam final of the year following her triumph at the Australian Open. The 21-year-old US-American hit 23 winners and capitalized on four of her five break-point opportunities to secure victory in one hour and 45 minutes.
See ya soon, Iga 👋@SofiaKenin passes the Kvitova test 6-4 7-5 to reach a first #RolandGarros final and improve to 16-1 in Grand Slams this season.#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/MjHYqz2YYs
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) October 8, 2020
“It’s so special, honestly. I’m just really grateful with the way that I’m playing, with the way things are going,” Kenin said during her virtual press conference. “It’s not easy getting to a Grand Slam final. Having two this year, it’s really special.”
Kenin and Swiatek have played just once before and it was at Roland Garros four years ago in the fourth round of the girls’ singles. A match the Pole won.
“I don’t remember how I played,” Kenin said. “But definitely I can say I was not as comfortable on clay as I am now, as I started to feel last year. I don’t remember what happened. I think it was like 4-4. She played well that match. Of course, we’re both different players now.
“I have to figure out what she does. She’s had a great two weeks here. She’s had some great results, playing some really good tennis. I know that I’m also playing well. Yeah, I’m just going to enjoy myself today, and then tomorrow I’m going to prepare for Saturday.”
Krawietz/Mies to face Pavic/Soares in doubles final
Defending champions Kevin Krawietz and Andreas Mies of Germany have returned to the men’s doubles final. The No. 8 seeds defeated No. 9 seeds Wesley Koolhof from the Netherlands and Nikola Mektic of Croatia 6-3, 7-5 in one hour and 26 minutes.
“It is unreal. In our first Roland Garros last year we won it, we play our second Roland Garros and we are in the final again,” said Mies, quoted by the ATP Tour website. “Yesterday, one physiotherapist [gave] me treatment and he told me, ‘You know what? You actually have a better record than Rafa here. You are the only guy unbeaten, with Kevin.’ I said, ‘Okay, that’s cool. But he has a 98-2 record and we have 11-0.’ I don’t know which one is better.”
Krawietz and Mies will face No. 7 seeds Mate Pavic from Croatia and Brazilian Bruno Soares. The pair upset the tournament’s top favourites Juan Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah from Colombia 7-6(4), 7-5 in one hour and 44 minutes.
