All against Iga Swiatek, the most complete tennis player of the moment

Talent can be born anywhere. It is true that later on, in most cases, he needs a suitable environment in which to develop, which is confirmed by the quarterfinals of Roland Garros. In the women’s competition, Swiatek (Polish), Gauff (American), Jabeur (Tunisian), Haddad Maia (Brazil), Muchova (Czech Republic), Zaabalenka (Belarusian), Svitolina (Ukrainian) and Pavlyuchenkova (Russian).

But the same thing happens in the men’s competition: Alcaraz (Spanish), Tsitsipas (Greek), Khachanov (Russian), Ruud (Norwegian), Rune (Danish), Zverev (German), Djokovic (Serbian) and Etcheverry (Argentine). 16 players and 15 countries. Only Russia had two players with Khachanov and Pavlyuchenkova, both of whom were eliminated in the quarterfinals.

In the semifinals of today’s women’s tournament (4:15 p.m.), it is expected whether the two main favorites will reach the finals: Belarusian Alyna Sabalenka or Polish Swiatek, who yesterday defeated her last year’s rival in the Gauff final. 6-4 and 6-2, and will face the Brazilian Beatriz Haddad. The latter defeated Ons Jabeur 3-6, 7-6(5) and 6-1.

Favoring the number 1

Swiatek, the current No. 1 in the rankings, is the clear favorite to play in the final and the pick for his third victory in Paris. The Pole, despite not developing her best game in Paris, clearly defeated Gauff and now faces Haddad Maia, the surprise of the tournament. The 27-year-old player from Rio has made several spectacular comebacks and will be the first Brazilian to reach the penultimate round of a major since Maria Bueno did it at the US Open in 1968. Haddad, to beat Spain’s Sara Sorribes, had to be three hours and 51 minutes in the last eight final, in the third-longest match in the history of the tournament, and against Jabeur in the quarter-finals to reverse the result and leave out the best African tennis player, who has won two Grand Slam finals, at Wimbledon and at the US Open.

Service and physical from the Brazilian

The Brazilian left-handed player, who has a very good first serve and excellent physical fitness, has a hard time moving forward, because she will have the best tennis player of today. At the age of 22, Swiatek already has three majors and leads the rankings. The Pole is a complete player: gifted with a good serve and an excellent forehand, she moves easily around the court, is very aggressive and able to adapt to any situation. Tactically prepared and with a winning character is today the benchmark of women’s tennis.

Sabalenka’s power

Sabalenka, currently number 2 in the WTA rankings, already knows what it means to win a grand slam (Australia 2023), and at the age of 25, she is in great shape. With very offensive tennis, in which the power of his shots, especially his serve, prevails, when he has a good day it is very difficult to stop him. He has shown too many ups and downs in previous years, but he has matured and greatly improved his consistency and regularity.

To qualify for the final, she will have to beat her tough opponent, Muchova, who, despite a series of injuries that have affected her career, has a semi-final in Australia and a quarter-final at Wimbledon. Muchova, 26, survived the country with the highest representation in the women’s draw, continuing the tradition started by players of the caliber of Navratilova, Sukova, Mandlicova, Novotna, etc.

Muchova, who is ranked 43rd in the WTA rankings, will try to surprise, but it will be difficult against a player who, in addition to numerous physical qualities and shots, has added progress in self-control and self-confidence in recent tournaments.

If the forecasts come true, the Swiatek-Sabalenka final would be a great ending to the Paris tournament. At this point, both of them need to defeat Muchova and Haddad Maia, in order to fulfill the wish of the majority of fans.