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 335 times

Soccer

Bay FC eyes record NWSL crowd at Giants ballpark

Bay FC eyes record NWSL crowd at Giants ballpark

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsSAN FRANCISCO -- Bay FC will play the Washington Spirit in a Nation...

Olmo strikes to put Barça seven clear of Madrid

Olmo strikes to put Barça seven clear of Madrid

Barcelona's Dani Olmo scored inside the first minute of the second half to earn a hard-fought 1-0 ho...

Poch will only select 'right characters' for USMNT

Poch will only select 'right characters' for USMNT

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsUnited States men's national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino em...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Silver: Playoff ratings 'fantastic' for first weekend

Silver: Playoff ratings 'fantastic' for first weekend

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNASHVILLE, Tenn. -- NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Tuesday that...

Edwards fined $50K for obscene gesture to fan

Edwards fined $50K for obscene gesture to fan

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves has been...

Baseball

Manfred eyes 'big crowd' when Bristol hosts MLB

Manfred eyes 'big crowd' when Bristol hosts MLB

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Major League Baseball has played at the "Field...

Source: White Sox's Pérez likely out for year

Source: White Sox's Pérez likely out for year

EmailPrintChicago White Sox left-hander Martin Pérez will likely miss the remainder of the season wi...

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