Iga Swiatek motored into her third French Open final in the past four years as she held off the big-hitting attack of Beatriz Haddad Maia 6-2, 7-6 (7) on Thursday.
The world No. 1 will play for her third title at Roland Garros on Saturday when she faces Karolina Muchova after the Czech put out second seed Aryna Sabalenka 7-6 (5), 6-7 (5), 7-4 after more than three hours.
Swiatek will bid for the fourth Grand Slam title of her career on Saturday after defeating the first Brazilian woman to get this far here since Maria Bueno in 1968.
The 22-year-old Swiatek is the youngest woman to reach three Paris finals since Monica Seles 1990-1992.
The Pole has not dropped a set on her way into the final.
“It’s a long tournament here,” the winner said. “I really don’t know what made the difference today,
“Bia uses her lefty serve well and hits hard; she has a great game and knows how to attack well with her forehand.
“This was a match that could have changed at any moment, I was glad to finish it in two sets.”
The unseeded Muchova will rise into the Top 10 if she wins the title after storming back from 5-2 down in the third set against Sabalenka.
“It’s been a roller coaster of 2-5 in the third, but I still kind of knew it’s just one break and I was waiting for my chances,” the Czech said.
“It happened. I managed to break Aryna and then hold my serve. Then, you never know what’s going to happen.
“I just try to play point by point. I’m super glad that I turned it around and then managed to win the match.”
The 43rd-ranked Muchova goes into the final with Swiatek confident Muchova after defeating first, second and third-ranked players in her career.
“This win shows me that I can play against them. I can compete, and obviously the matches are super close.
“Even today, match ball down, you really never know if I win or lose.
“But it’s great to know that I have the chance to win and I win against the top players, and that for sure boost my confidence.”
Sabalenka, the Australian Open champion, lost her first match of the season at a Grand Slam after 12 wins.
“It tough match, she played unbelievable tennis. I had a lot of opportunities, and I didn’t use them. Of course I’m very disappointed.
“I don’t look at this as a negative tournament. I made great improvement on the clay court, – it’s my best result here.
“Right now I’m trying to stay positive no matter what happens on court. Whatever it is, I’ll come back stronger.”
Main photo:- French Open 2023 Day 12 Iga Swiatek celebrates as she wins Women’s Semi-Final by Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd
