French Open 2021, women’s semi-finals LIVE: Pavlyuchenkova takes on Zidansek, Krejcikova faces Sakkari-Sports News , Firstpost

Anaastasia Pavlyuchenkova takes on Tamara Zidansek in the first women’s semi-final at French Open. AP

For the sixth year running, a first-time champion will be crowned at Roland Garros. There were six maiden quarter-finalists out of eight in the previous round and now we have four first-time semi-finalists at Roland Garros for the first time in the Open Era.

One of Maria Sakkari, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Barbora Krejcikova and Tamara Zidansek will lift the trophy on Saturday. But before we get to that stage, they have to get through the last-four which pits Pavlyuchenkova against Zidansek and Krejcikova versus Sakkari.

Sakkari is the highest-ranked player among the four at World No 18, 67 places above Zidansek, the first woman representing Slovenia to make the semi-finals of a Slam.

At 29, Pavlyuchenkova, a junior No 1, is into the semi-finals of a Grand Slam in her 52nd attempt. She accounted for a strong tournament favourite Aryna Sabalenka before sending Victoria Azarenka packing.

Zidansek entered the tournament with a 3-8 Grand Slam record with two first round exits in Paris. She started the tournament by making an announcement win over 2019 US Open champion Bianca Andreescu.

Sakkari is not a new name to the WTA Tour and in going deep into a tournament. But this is her first foray beyond the fourth round and it has come in convincing manner. She beat 2020 French Open finalist Sofia Kenin and then defending champion Iga Swiatek. She is the first Greek woman to make the quarters and then semi-finals of a tennis major.

Krejcikova, 2018 French Open doubles champion, is two wins from adding the singles title to her collection. Mentored by legendary late Jana Novotna, Krejcikova hadn’t won a Grand Slam singles match before last year’s Australian Open. Her run has seen her beat Elina Svitolina, Sloane Stephens and Coco Gauff.