Karolina Muchova saves match points in an incredible comeback to dump Aryna Sabalenka out of the French Open to reach maiden Major final

Karolina Muchova ends Aryna Sabalenka's hunt for her second grand slam and become World No. 1

Karolina Muchova saves match points in an incredible comeback to dump Aryna Sabalenka out of the French Open to reach maiden Major final

Karolina Muchova (Image Credit: The Independent) and Aryna Sabalenka(Tennis Infinity)

To the spectacle of the whole world, who were waiting to watch an Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek clash in the Roland Garros final, they will have to watch Karolina Muchova on one end of the court. This semi-final match could go in the archive books of tennis as a great semi-final to watch. The World No. 43 ended the World No.2’s campaign to win her second Grand Slam title and also become the World No. 1.

The first set between the two was a slugfest, both players relentless to win their service games. Hence the first set lasted over an hour. However Muchova came out as winner at the other end of the set after a tight tie break with a score of 7-5.Aryna Sabalenka gave it all toward the end of the first set by breaking the Czech when she was serving for the set at score 5-4. This took the score to 5-5 in the first set and both players held their subsequent service games. Ultimately in the first set tie break the slugfest continued which was fought bravely by both. But Karolina Muchova was a bit more crafty and creative and took it away by a narrow margin. Sabalenka who has been extremely consistent this clay swing did not even drop a set at the French Open till the first set of this semi final. 

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A well contested second and third set between Aryna Sabalenka and Karolina Muchova

Muchova Reuters new
Karolina Muchova (Image credit: Reuters)

Second set too, despite Muchova breaking Sabalenka’s first service game got broken back immediately. Eventually second set score were tied at 3-3 when an inspired Sabalenka broke Karolina for the 2nd in the set, taking the lead at score 4-3. But again Muchova answered her quickly establishing her dominance and breaking Sabalenkas next service game. Again score tied to 4-4 and next service game Muchova brilliant service game took the score to 5-4. Both players held all of their service games and the second set also went to the tie break. Aryna Sabalenka took the lead and this time it was her turn to win the tie break on the second set point.

The third set was no different was not any different. The first couple of games went as per business except for Muchova’s first service game, in which she was 0-40 down. She managed to save 4 Break points to hold her very important first service. But it was at 3-2, Muchova’s service that Sabalenka got one break point and she managed to convert the same. It seemed as if the momentum suddenly shifted at 4-2 and Sabalenka held her serve taking the score to 5-2. Muchova served to stay in the match.

At 5-3 when audience were hoping Sabalenka to serve for the match and win, she suddenly dropped her level. Muchova whose break percentage was 100% in the match broke her back. And from then onward it was just a Muchova show of fireworks. The Czech didn’t make many errors and took the next game. Then she broke a nervous looking Sabalenka to clinch the match in her second match point. Karolina Muchova really dug deep and pushed hard for this victory. Though she was in disbelief she deserved the win a 100 percent. Muchova will take on the winner of the Beatriz Haddad Maia and Iga Swiatek. 

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