From our special correspondent Porte d’Auteuil – Poland’s Iga Swiatek won her Roland-Garros semi-final on Thursday against Beatriz Haddad Maia. The world number 1 will play her third final of the French Open.
Published on : 08/06/2023 – 20:58Modified : 08/06/2023 – 21:02
It’s not his most dominant victory of the tournament but it’s the one that sends him to the final. Iga Swiatek had to apply on Thursday June 8 to beat Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia, 14e global. She will face the Czech Karolina Muchova on Saturday in her third Porte d’Auteuil final, at only 22 years old.
The world number 1, however, started her semi-final at Roland-Garros on a fright. She concedes a white game and the entry break. But the Polish has seen others. She immediately recovers by taking her opponent’s serve.
The defending champion is eye-catching. On several occasions, she methodically repelled the attacks of the powerful Brazilian left-hander and systematically hooked her on her face-offs. Yet she faced a hostile crowd. The sparse stands of Philippe-Chatrier have clearly taken up the cause of Beatriz Haddad Maia.
The Polish resists the attacks of her opponent and ends up making the break following a cushioned backhand missed by the latter (4-2). She confirms in stride and takes the set after 39 minutes.
A 15 minute long game
The first game of the second inning is hooked. It took more than 15 minutes for Swiatek to get him back in his pocket, the Brazilian valiantly resisting several decisive points. Haddad Maia manages to break on his opponent’s next face-off (2-1) relying on a forehand which puts the number 1 in difficulty.
As in the first set, Iga Swiatek does not panic. She sticks to her opponent then overtakes her after a new game where she ends up making the difference on a lucky rebound (4-3).
On the next serve, Beatriz Haddad Maia creates three opportunities to break in a decisive moment. But the Brazilian’s hand is shaking when it comes time to make it happen (5-4). And at the end of the following three games, it is clear that the fate of this semi-final will switch to a decisive game.
“1-1”, “2-2”, “3-3″… The tie-break is tight and disputed when suddenly, the Brazilian takes a decisive advantage on Swiatek’s first serve (5-3). But the latter does not give up: she equalizes but offers a set point to her opponent. She erases it then offers herself a match point which she does not manage to concretize after a long rally of 15 exchanges. Not panicked, however, she offers herself a second match point.
It doesn’t matter which way as long as it has the finale. Iga Swiatek took the opportunity to qualify for the opportunity of a third title at Roland-Garros. With the symbolic challenge of becoming the first woman since Justine Hénin (2006, 2007) to win two consecutive tournaments.
