Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

French Open 2021: Barbora Krejcikova sees off Coco Gauff to reach semi-final

Written by 
Published in Tennis
Wednesday, 09 June 2021 04:21

Czech Barbora Krejcikova is into her first Grand Slam semi-final after seeing off American teenager Coco Gauff in a nervy French Open encounter.

Gauff, 17, let five set points slip as Krejcikova took the opener on a tie-break before sealing a 7-6 (8-6) 6-3 victory on her sixth match point.

The 25-year-old eventually wrapped up an intriguing quarter-final battle in one hour and 50 minutes in Paris.

"I never imagined I would be standing here one day," she said.

"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."

The world number 33 will face Polish defending champion Iga Swiatek or Greece's Maria Sakkari for a place in the final at Roland Garros.

Eighth seed Swiatek is the highest ranked woman left in the draw.

Frustrated Gauff slips to defeat

Gauff made the perfect start to her first Grand Slam quarter-final, eventually seizing her fourth break point in Krejcikova's opening service game as she opened a 3-0 lead on Court Philippe Chatrier.

But Krejcikova, also appearing in her first major singles quarter-final, rallied impressively to claw back the deficit - surviving another break point before holding to level at 3-3.

Gauff, junior champion in 2018, held firm under pressure on serve before breaking the Czech for a second time but her failure to take her first set point allowed Krejcikova a way back.

The American responded admirably, unleashing a powerful forehand winner on her way to a comfortable hold at 6-5, but Krejcikova rescued two more set points - one with a superb line shot - to set up a nervous tie-break.

Gauff battled back from 2-0 behind to set up her fourth set point at 6-4 before a steely Krejcikova once again dug in to win four successive points and take the opening set.

Gauff failed to convert a break point in the first game of the second set and her hopes unravelled from there as Krejcikova held serve and immediately earned a break of her own.

The 25-year-old, who knocked out fifth seed Elina Svitolina in the third round, then moved 4-0 ahead as a frustrated Gauff double-faulted before smashing her racquet on the clay.

Gauff showed resilience to hold serve to get on the board at 5-1, staved off three set points to claw one break back, and then held again for 5-3, but Krejcikova eventually closed out at the sixth time of asking to reach the last four at Roland Garros for the first time.

"I am very happy, thank you very much for coming today," she told the crowd. "It was amazing, you gave us so much energy."

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova will face Tamara Zidansek in the other women's last-four meeting after both players reached maiden Grand Slam semi-finals on Tuesday.

Russia's Pavlyuchenkova came from a set down to beat her doubles partner Elena Rybakina 6-7 (2-7) 6-2 9-7, while Slovenian world number 85 Zidansek claimed a hard-fought 7-5 4-6 8-6 win over Spain's Paula Badosa.

Read 218 times

Soccer

Pogba to star in French movie amid doping ban

Pogba to star in French movie amid doping ban

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsWorld Cup winner Paul Pogba will star in a French film to be releas...

Salah back on target as Liverpool put 4 past Spurs

Salah back on target as Liverpool put 4 past Spurs

Liverpool finally found some form in a 4-2 Premier League victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday i...

Leverkusen streak up to 48 with Alonso suspended

Leverkusen streak up to 48 with Alonso suspended

Champions Bayer Leverkusen extended their unbeaten streak as they secured a 5-1 away victory over Ei...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Why wait? Malone wants better starts by Nuggets

Why wait? Malone wants better starts by Nuggets

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsDENVER -- On the way to the championship last season, the Denver Nu...

Edwards outduels Jokic: Wolves 'know who we are'

Edwards outduels Jokic: Wolves 'know who we are'

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsDENVER -- If you asked another young star what it felt like to go i...

Baseball

Dodgers place Phillips on IL, activate Treinen

Dodgers place Phillips on IL, activate Treinen

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe Los Angeles Dodgers placed right-handed reliever Evan Phillips...

Arraez a big hit in Padres debut, goes 4-for-6

Arraez a big hit in Padres debut, goes 4-for-6

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsPHOENIX -- Luis Arraez had four hits and an RBI in his first game a...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated