Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
The French Open women’s singles draw has taken an unexpected turn, and Thursday’s semi-finals promise plenty of intrigue as four players chase a maiden Roland Garros title.
The standout contest features Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk against Russia’s Mirra Andreeva in a match that carries significance both on and off the court. With world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka crashing out in the quarter-finals, eighth seed Andreeva is now the highest-ranked player remaining in the tournament.
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Kostyuk arrives with momentum and confidence, having beaten the Russian teenager in both of their meetings this season, including a straight-sets victory on clay in the Madrid final. The Ukrainian has been one of the most consistent performers on the surface this year and is now just one win away from reaching her first Grand Slam final.
Their latest meeting will once again take place against the backdrop of the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia. Since Russia’s invasion in 2022, Ukrainian players have refused to shake hands with Russian and Belarusian opponents, and Thursday’s semi-final is expected to be no different.
While the political context inevitably adds another layer to the contest, Kostyuk will be focused on extending her winning record against Andreeva and continuing her impressive run in Paris. The Russian, meanwhile, has quietly established herself as one of the brightest young talents in women’s tennis and now stands two victories away from a maiden major title.
The second semi-final will see Russian Diana Shnaider take on Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska. Both players have enjoyed breakthrough tournaments, with Shnaider stunning Sabalenka in the quarter-finals and Chwalinska becoming only the second women’s qualifier in the Open Era to reach the Roland Garros semi-finals.
Having won eight matches in a row in Paris, Chwalinska is playing with immense belief, while Shnaider enters the contest buoyed by the biggest victory of her career.
With none of the four semi-finalists having previously won a Grand Slam singles title, the stage is set for a new champion to emerge in Paris.
Court Phillipe-Chartrier
Day Session: Begins at 3:30 PM IST
- Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori (1) vs Gabriela Dabrowski and Evan King – Mixed doubles final
- Marta Kostyuk (15) vs Mira Andreeva (8) – Women’s singles semifinal (Not before 3 PM)
- Diana Shnaider (25) vs Maja Chwalinska – Women’s singles semifinal
Court Suzanne-Lenglen
Day Session: Begins at 2:30 PM IST
- Quentin Halys and Pierre-Hugues Herbert vs Harri Heliovaara and Henry Patten (2) – Men’s doubles semifinal
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
