- Iga Swiatek def. Nadia Podoroska [Q] 6-2 6-1
- Sofia Kenin [4] def. Petra Kvitova [7] 6-4 7-5
PARIS, FRANCE – The Women’s Final is set as Iga Swiatek continued to dominate and Sofia Kenin outmanoeuvred Petra Kvitova to make her second final in 2020.
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Iga Swiatek def. Nadia Podoroska [Q] 6-2 6-1
It was uncharted territory for both these players, and at the start a slow couple of points for Iga Swiatek were deceptive as she brought the amazing unbeaten run of Argentine qualifier Nadia Podoroska to a juddering halt.
Swiatek listens to the rock of older souls as she walks out onto court, and told ESPN she actually learned her tennis from playing on her PlayStation, and when you think of the crazy shots you can push off by mashing buttons, there might be something in that!
As soon as she got into her stride, it was almost like replaying the beat-down she handed to former Roland Garros champion Simona Halep. She was able to pain lines, stifle Podoroska and still charge up the court from time to time to strike winners.
At the end of the match she indicated to the enthusiastic crowd she could not hear them and whipped them up to make more noise – she is ready for the challenge.
She said, after the match: “On one hand I know that I can play great tennis. On the other hand, it’s kind of surprising for me. I never would have thought that I’m going to be in the final. It’s crazy. Yeah, I just kept believing in myself. It’s amazing for me. It’ll like a dream come true.”
For such a young player, it is unusual that she has found confidence in working with a sports psychologist, but for her it is part of the process, to the point that it almost amuses her to be asked about it.
She continued: “Actually, I don’t know how I made the decision when I was younger, but I always wanted to work with a psychologist because I had this belief that it’s like a big part of the game. But my parents, like, they weren’t as open to that as I was. Actually, I don’t know where that came from, to be honest (smiling).”
Sofia Kenin [4] def. Petra Kvitova [7] 6-4 7-5
For someone who felt she could not overpower her opponent, Sofia Kenin did a very good job of disproving her own point as she edged out two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, to make her second Grand Slam final of her career, and indeed the year.
In horribly gusty conditions, Kenin adapted far better and quickly opened up a commanding lead over the Czech but as the wind dropped, Kvitova mounted her fight back, and Kenin found herself now working hard to hold her serve.
The second set saw Kenin wobble as she went to serve it out giving Kvitova a lifeline to go on and level at 5-5, before Kenin surged ahead once more to clinch a spot in a second Slam final.
She said: “I feel like I returned really well. I know she has a big serve. I knew more or less where she likes to serve on tough points. Obviously, I felt like I could not overpower her. I knew I just needed to adjust my game. I had to control the points, move her, dictate, try not to give her short balls, try to have a good serve.”
Kenin continued: “It’s so special, honestly. I’m just really grateful with the way that I’m playing, with the way things are going. It’s not easy getting to a Grand Slam final. Having two this year, it’s really special.”
Kvitova had nothing but praise for her opponent, after what has been an emotional tournament for her.
She said: “Was really difficult today, to be honest. So the conditions were not very nice. Obviously for my game, it’s not really perfect.
“I think that Sofia played great tennis today. I was really trying to fight for every point. I was trying to still be in the match and still wait for the chance, which actually just came little small one, then she took it again.
“Definitely she was playing very well today. She was moving very well actually. That was probably the key today. She deserved to win for sure today.”
Kenin and Swiatek will play in the Women’s Final on Saturday, at 3pm (2pm BST).
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