women’s semifinals, Sabalenka-Muchova and Swiatek-Haddad Maia- Corriere.it

Today, Thursday 8 June, the two finalists will be decided Roland Garros. Two races scheduled, both in the women’s draw. The number in the world, Iga Swiatek, will take the field against the Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia (from around 4.15pm). The Pole eliminated the American Coco Gauff (6-4, 6-2) in the quarterfinals, who tried from the start to put pressure on Swiatek, playing aggressively and purposefully. But finished ko, despite some initial uncertainties of Iga. Swiatek rises to 7-0 in the previous matches against Gauff (among which the 2022 final obviously stood out, which ended 6-1 6-3). As said, I will face Beatriz Haddad Maia, who in turn eliminated the Tunisian Ons Jabeur (3-6, 7-6, 6-1), the most important Arab tennis player ever because no one before her, both male and female, has achieved the results she obtained so far. Indeed, she was the first Arab to win a WTA title (and in total she has won four so far) and the first ever, between men and women, to enter the top 3. Beatriz Haddad Maia, however, one who never gives up and the first Brazilian to reach a semifinal in Paris in the Open Era.

In the other semifinal, on the other hand, a few hours earlier (around 3 pm) the Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka will challenge the Czech Karolina Muchova. Sabalenka in the quarterfinals beat the Ukrainian Elina Svitolina (6-4, 6-4), who didn’t shake her opponent’s hand: I honestly don’t understand what she was waiting for. I have always been very clear in my statements. There was some “boo” from the stands, I expected it, anyone who comes out of a match defeated and doesn’t shake hands with their opponent should expect a reaction like that, she said. Of course the known issue: Ukraine battered by the war against Russia, which has the support of the Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko. Having said that, however, Karolina Muchova she knocked out the Russian Anastasija Pavljucenkova (7-5, 6-2).

The Roland Garros a Discovery exclusive. The reference channels on Sky’s bouquet are 210 and 211, i.e. Eurosport 1 and Eurosport 2, streaming on Discovery Plus and Dazn.