There was joy for Lucie Safarova, as she beat former champ Ana Ivanovic, to reach her maiden Grand Slam Final. The Czech 28 year old was appearing in only her 2nd Major SF, after Wimbledon last year. Ivanovic on the other hand was playing her first GS SemiFinal, since winning Roland Garros, 7 years ago. But a determined Safarova blasted her way past the Serbian and become the first Czech woman in a French open Final, in 34 years. In Saturdays Showpiece event, she’ll face the indomitable Serena Williams, who again needed 3 sets, to see of SF debutant: Timea Bacszinsky. Playing with the flu, Serena was not herself for a set and a half, appearing lethargic and looking really ill. But the 2-time Roland Garros Champion, used all of her legendary fighting spirit, to storm back and cruise into the Final.
Roland Garros 2015, Day 12: WS SFs
Serena bt Bacszinsky: 4-6, 6-3, 6-0
There’s an old adage in tennis: Beware a wounded Serena Williams.
The Undisputed World No1 revealed after the match, that she’d been suffering really badly with the flu, since the 3rd round.
Whatever illness or virus she had, was cleary affecting her, as she looked, slow, tired and really out of it.
Bacsinszky on the other hand just went about her business , as she seeked to become the first Swiss Woman in a Grand Slam Final, since Martrina Hingis at the Australian Open in 2002.
Timea’s fairytale run to the last 4 of Roland Garros, meant she was the first Swiuss Woman in the Semi’s of Paris, since Hingis in 2001.
Nerves certaibly didn;’t play part for her, for the first set and a half. Bacszinsky’s glorious backhand and solidness of the ground, saw her win the opeing set by 6-4 and break Serena for a 3-2 lead in the 2nd.
In trouble and needing to act fast, Serena knew she had to win in 3 sets again for the 5th time this tournamnet. But after breaking Serena’s legendary serve, Bacsinszky was to have no more say in the match, as Williams put on one of her patented comebacks. Short story- Timea didn’t even win 1 more game.
Serena then cruised to vicyory by winning the next 10 games in a row, to round it out: 6-3, 6-0. Even ill and looking as though she was at deaths door, she still bagelled Bacsinzksy in the final set.
Safarova bt Ivanovic: 7-5, 7-5
What is up with lucie Safarova this French Open. Moreover, what’s happened to the Czech lefty during the past year. Like a fine wine, Safarova has matured and gotten better with age in the past 12 months, reaching her maiden GS SF at Wimbledon and winning her first Premier title in Doha.
Things then have gotten even better, as she beat 2008 Winner Ana Ivanovic and go on 1 better than at SW19 last year.
Facing Ana was a good omen for Lucie, seeing as she held a winning H2H record and actually beat Ivanovic in the 3rd rd of last years Roland Garros.
But from the start of the match, that good luck was not holding her up, as Ivanovic stormed out to a 5-2 lead. Her moneyb shot- the forehand doing most of the damage. Safarova though hadn’t lost a set, in reaching the last 4 and she wasn’t about to now.
At last playing within in herself, Lucie then wnet on a lghtning charge, winning 8 of the following 9 games to lead: 7-5, 3-1.
Ivanovic would find herself even more on the ropes, when Safarova served for the match at 5-4. Hopwvere the magnitude of making her first Grand Slam Final got to her and the pressure told big time. Match-point came, but then also did a double-fault and 3 break-points too. Finally though Ana broke through and levelled for 5-5, when Safarova sent a bacmhand wide.
But as is te case so much in Tennis, onec a player gets back into and squares up the match, they fall down again. Safarova would ultimately have the last laugh, as she reeled off the next 2 games, finishing Ivanovic off with a final rippling forhand winner cross-court.
Congratulations Lucie Safarova on making your First Grand Slam Singles Final!
All Things Tennis- from Hamza Shakeel 