Defending champion Iga Swiatek’s quest for a fourth French Open title hit top gear as she swatted aside former runner-up Marketa Vondrousova 6-0 6-2 in 62 minutes to reach the semi-finals.
The 23-year-old booked a seismic last-four clash with American Coco Gauff in a repeat of the 2022 final won by the Pole who will look to improve her 10-1 overall record against the third seed.
Swiatek wasted little time to start firing in the clash of reigning grand slam champions on Court Philippe Chatrier as she built a 5-0 lead over Wimbledon winner Vondrousova and wrapped up the opening set when the fifth seed hit a shot long.
It was the top seed’s third bagel in a row following her demolition of Russian Anastasia Potapova and she achieved it by dictating points from all parts of the court to completely overwhelm 2019 finalist Vondrousova.
The Czech cut a frustrated figure but finally got on board in the second set following a rare Swiatek mistake and earned a break point in the next game, but could not stop her ruthless rival from extending her winning run on clay to 17 matches.
Madrid and Rome champion Swiatek broke for a 3-1 lead and never looked back, sealing victory when Vondrousova hit a shot into the net.
Gauff earlier survived an Ons Jabeur onslaught to advance with a 4-6 6-2 6-3 victory.
Third-seed Gauff fell a set behind as Jabeur, looking to reach the last four at Roland Garros for the first time, went after the American’s serve from the start and broke for 4-3.
Gauff saved two set points on her own serve but Jabeur finished the job with the ball in her hand, hammering down an ace to clinch it.
Jabeur retrieved an early break in the second but Gauff hit straight back when the Tunisian drilled a forehand wide.
The balance of power had shifted when Jabeur, the eighth seed, dunked a forehand into the net to hand Gauff the double break and the second set.
When US Open champion Gauff broke and then held for 4-1 in the decider, Jabeur had won just two of 11 games.
The Tunisian flags on Court Philippe Chatrier fluttered briefly when she managed a solid hold to love and then moved to 0-30 with a spectacular leaping forehand winner.
But the fightback was quickly snuffed out as 20-year-old Gauff, the runner-up in Paris two years ago, registered the win in an hour and 57 minutes.
“Ons is a tough opponent and well loved on tour, I can tell you guys wanted her to win, and when I’m watching her I want her to win too,” said Gauff.
“I love playing in this atmosphere. I was just thinking, ‘this is really fun, win or lose’. I have a lot of love here in Paris too and I really appreciate it.
“I was trying to be more aggressive, she was playing really well the whole match, hitting a lot of winners. I got a little bit tight but I did what I needed to do to win the match.”
Content Source: www.perthnow.com.au