PARIS: World number 85 Tamara Zidansek became the first Slovenian woman to reach the semi-finals of a Grand Slam on Tuesday when she beat Spain’s Paula Badosa at the French Open.
Zidansek advanced with 7-5, 4-6, 8-6 victory and will play 31st-seeded Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia for a place in Saturday’s final. Pavlyuchenkova reached her first Grand Slam semi-final at the 52nd attempt with a three-set win over doubles partner Elena Rybakina.
“I’m really, really happy to be in the semi-finals,” said Zidansek, who had never gone beyond the second round of a major before this year’s Roland Garros.
Zidansek recovered from 3-0 and a double break down in the first set and then saved three break points at 6-6 in the decider before taking her second match point against the in-form Badosa, the 33rd seed who has won the most clay court matches (17) on the WTA tour this season.
“I knew before the match it was going to be a tough battle,” added Zidansek, 23.
“In the third set I managed to get into my groove and I started feeling better and better, and I was fighting really well.”