* Swiatek 1-0 Stick (* indicates the following server)
The first point, in the service of Pegula, goes to the number 1 in the world, but the American – who has important straps on his left thigh – responds well to go up 30-15. Then, the Pole took advantage of an error before thrashing a winner to get the first breaking point of the match.
This has been saved very well with a right of way cross, but there is more work to be done while Swiatek is forced to make another mistake. Another breaking point … and immediately Swiatek takes the lead in grassroots exchanges and takes the early initiative.
Updated at 13.46 BST
Things are heating up at Roland Garros, with the temperature now at 21 ºC, but more relevant with Iga Swiatek preparing for another quarter-final.
This encounter is an example of how face-to-face sport can be misleading. The balance is 1-1, with Swiatek after knocking out Pegula in Miami earlier this year, and the American was first at the Washington Open in 2019; this tournament is still the only one Pegula has won in his career.
Swiatek, meanwhile, have won five this year alone and have a 32-game winning streak. To put it in context, his career coincides with that of Justine Henin, and only Venus and Serena Williams (who scored 35 and 34, respectively) improve it this century. If he wins the tournament, he will also reach 35.
Pegula is having a good year, however, at the top of his career after reaching the quarterfinals of the Australian Open. But can he further increase his game against the world number 1? Let’s find out…
Semifinal reminder: Kasatkina will play against the winner of the match between Iga Swiatek and Jessica Pegula, which is the next match at Court Suzanne-Lenglen. Players are emerging now.
In the other semifinal, Martina Trevisan will face 18th seed Coco Gauff.
Updated at 13.34 BST
Nadal talks about a possible last French Open after Djokovic’s “magical” victory: video
The French Open to consider before the big night games begin
The leaders of the French Open will discuss the introduction of starts before the most important night matches after the ridiculous final between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. The Christmas and Djokovic quarterfinals began shortly after 9 p.m., local time, at the urging of Prime Video.
The temperature had dropped to 12 ºC and some spectators had left, while others were wrapped in blankets when Nadal wrapped the victory in four sets at 1.15am.
Both Nadal and Djokovic later admitted that the match started too late. “It certainly is,” Nadal said. “Of course I understand the other side of the business, no doubt, that TVs pay a lot of money to have matches so late, then the tournament makes money and then the players make money, right? We have to find a balance. “
Tournament director Amélie Mauresmo, the former Wimbledon and Australian Open champion, said: “Obviously it’s not easy. It’s the first year I’ve been the director of the tournament. I’m learning a lot about programming. of the tournament.Having such late matches could provoke some questions.I myself wonder, to be honest.
“I still don’t have the answer, because we really see one day at a time and we’ll definitely be wondering what to do next and try to do some information to see what worked well, what didn’t work well. retrospective, and it will certainly be on the table. “
There has been more controversy surrounding the nightly sessions, as only one in 10 has had a women’s match, Alizé Cornet’s victory in the second round over Jelena Ostapenko. But Mauresmo added: “In this age we are in now – and as a woman, a former player, I don’t feel bad or unfair to say – you have more attraction, more attractiveness. [in] general, for the male parties ”. PA Media
Viewers watch Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal play late at night. Photo: Christophe Archambault / AFP / Getty Images
Updated at 13.32 BST
Daria Kasatkina speaks!
The match was very nervous and tight, especially the tiebreaker, the last points were very tight. I’m happy at the end of winning, it’s important to me, and I’m happy to be in the semis for the first time.
Daria Kasatkina beat Veronika Kudermetova 6-4, 7-6 (5)!
Kasatkina gets an early mini-break and quickly goes 3-0 ahead after another long time of his rival. Apparently, downtime has further altered Kudermetova’s slightly distorted rhythm. A deflected thrashing makes it 5-0, with Kudermetova uncomfortable close to half a century of unforced errors in the match.
With the 1-5 against, Kudermetova scores a regular return, and suddenly faces five game points against her.
She saves the first with a strong serve, then the second with a magnificently measured winner on the line. Then, probably, Kasatkina gives up the third and fourth.
For the fifth, a good rally of power and variety comes to an end, somewhat inevitable, with Kudermetova marking an attempt to return. Daria Kasatkina has made her first Grand Slam semifinal!
Daria Kasatkina celebrates after her straight set victory over Veronika Kudermetova. Photo: Yves Herman / Reuters
Updated at 13.23 BST
Kudermetova 4-6, 6-6 Kasatkina
Medical downtime is over, and thankfully Kudermetova seems to have no problem. Kasatkina is suddenly serving to stay in the second set.
He misses a 30-0 lead, but has a chance to hold on thanks to another Kudermetova right that doesn’t find his rank. Then the return is long. It’s time for the tiebreaker!
Updated at 13.09 BST
Kudermetova 4-6, 6-5 Kasatkina *
Frustratingly for anyone waiting for a third set, Kasatkina runs to 0-30 once again, then 15-40 and two more break points. Kudermetova saves the two with a bit of brute force, but sends a pass agonizingly out, to offer another. It has been saved in an absolutely amazing way, with Kasatkina looking at every inch as the winner of the point, but Kudermetova, sent deflected, pokes a winner from cross-track to open track.
She closes the match, but there will be a short break with Kudermetova asking for a coach. His left shoe is low, so I will take advantage of my extensive medical knowledge and suggest that there may be discomfort around the left foot area.
Spectators are watching on a sparse track of Philippe Chatrier. Photo: Thibault Camus / AP
Updated at 13.11 BST
Kudermetova 4-6, 5-5 Kasatkina *
Kasatkina has been the smartest operator of all time, playing with a slightly casual air that makes you think there is more to take advantage of if things get in the way. But Kudermetova doesn’t give in and gets a 15-30 sniff that puts pressure on a sumptuous cross-country winner who stays low and gives no chance to his rival. Almost unlikely, given the momentum of the match, it breaks! Brawn won brains in this game and keeps Kudermetova with us.
* Kudermetova 4-6, 4-5 Kasatkina
Kudermetova was uncomfortable with the soggy pitch as he couldn’t move the ball around with his usual grace. More errors make the score apologize until 15-40, but she serves hard to save the first break point. He can’t save the second one, and now he has to break Kasatkina to stay in the tournament.
* Kudermetova 4-6, 4-4 Kasatkina
Kasatkina, a hold and a break from the victory, double fouls to go down 15-30. He returns to the top with a shot from behind the bottom line. Kudermetova shows the first signs of frustration, but composes before, again, responding in the same way to bring the game to two.
And then a break point! Can you catch it? Arrrgh … immediately devotes himself unnecessarily to returning it. Now, however, he is nervous, as Kasatkina commits a double foul again, this time to two, and then secures the break when he sends a return of his own.
Kudermetova 4-6, 3-4 Kasatkina *
Kudermetova, realistically, has to hold on. He takes the lead at 30-15 with a therapeutic shot, then hits a two-handed backhand winner down the line, and a service-return from Kasatkina on the net keeps the match alive.
* Kudermetova 4-6, 2-4 Kasatkina
Kasatkina reduces to 30-0, and after a good victory in response, evokes a delicious pass over the line to go up 40-15. Kudermetova picks up the pace again and fights in two, but leaves the game after another terrible mistake, sending the ball unnecessarily with three quarters of the court to choose from.
Kudermetova 4-6, 2-3 Kasatkina *
Kasatkina’s most glorious craft, finding a shot from behind the baseline. At 30-15, Kudermetova tries one of his best, damaging his opponent completely, and gains some space to breathe in his service. Another double fault immediately makes things hairy … even so, Kudermetova argues.
Daria Kasatkina is a break in this second set. Photography: Adam Pretty / Getty Images
Updated at 12.34 BST
* Kudermetova 4-6, 1-3 Kasatkina
Kudermetova chases the game, but the extra weight behind his shots only increases his number of errors. Kasatkina holds up comfortably up to 15.
Kudermetova 4-6, 1-2 Kasatkina *
Another service game, another 0-30 score. Despite the opportunity, do both players look impressively calm no matter what their situation and, sir, are these people having fun?
One thing to remember and reflect on: none of these women will be able to thank Wimbledon this year after the All England Club’s response to the invasion of Ukraine.
Kasatkina raises her fist again after forcing two more breaking points. Kudermetova saves the first well, then another … and a third. He then gives the opportunity to a quarter with a double foul, but runs down the track to save it, created by a well-measured dink on the net. The next one will possibly come his point of the match, throwing a delicious pass after a reduced effort by the Kasatkina line.
A welcome advantage, but Kudermetova can’t capitalize and it stretches. A fifth break point courtesy of an inadvisable low, the ball above the top judged (correctly) as finished, and the longest game of the …