Meanwhile, there were also two women’s singles quarter-finals to commence Day 10 before the men’s singles QFs take over at Court Phillipe Chatrier. Karolina Muchkova & Anastasia Paulychenkova both had a really competitive first set spell, but Muchkova had the better pull in straight sets (7-5, 6-2). Then in the second QF straight after the Muchkova v Paulychenkova tie between Elina Svitolina & Aryna Sabalenka, it was somewhat more competitive right through until the end of each set. But again, there can only be one winner & Sabalenka managed to get the job done also in straight sets (4-6, 4-6) where she will now face Muchkova in the 1st semis match tomorrow (Day 12).
So close from Paulychenkova where she responded well to Muchkova’s fast start with a few rebounds of her own before it all the way through the tiebreak. But she just lacked the execution there to pull off while struggling to catch up under pressure before it was too late after a good restart to the 2nd set. On the other hand, great game by Muchkova when not only she fired off well but stayed patient too that helped her tick off both sets.
Looking back at the other tie now & oh so close as well from Svitolina who showed some excellent fightback including these good starts & restarts to stay on track. But sadly, she lacked the other half momentum where she couldn’t get the job done to finish off the 1st set, before trying to hold back Sabalenka in the hope of a decider & it was simply just too late. And speaking of Sabalenka, she’s so relieved after overcoming some great battles v Svitolina. Her patience was tested really well where she may have been challenged at times, but she found the execution to escape with the 1-0 lead & did the exact same thing again towards the finish line.
We now look forward to Day 11 tonight to see out the other two Final 8 ties with Ons Jabeur v Beatriz Haddad Maia followed by Iga Swiatek v Coco Gauff.
