French Open 2023: Karolina Muchova beats Arina Sabalenka to reach first Grand Slam final at Roland-Carros.

Karolina Muchova advanced to the French Open final with a 7-6(5) 6-7(5) 7-5 win over second seed Arina Sabalenka.

Despite failing to convert her first set point in the opening game, Muchova held her nerve in the ensuing tie-break to take a surprise lead in the match.

It was the first time Sabalenka dropped a set in the tournament, and things went from bad to worse as Muchova broke 2-0 down early in the second.

She was able to fight back and the set again went to a tie-break, which this time went in favor of the big-serving Belarusian.

Up 5-2 in the third game, Sabalenka stole the show but failed to convert a match point, losing five games in a row as Muchova served out the match to seal a historic victory.

After confirming the win, Muchova said he would position the key.

She said: I heard people telling me [my game is incredible]. I don’t want to listen to it or hold it too much in my head and chew on it. I try to play my game; We’re working on it and I’m glad it worked out so well.

„Look around, easy [to stay composed and motivated] Lots of people watching in this beautiful stadium. It goes well with everyone. I hear my name and people cheering me on as I go to my towel. It’s an incredible feeling.”

Muchova was on top of her serve early in the match, happy to approach the net.

In the seventh game of the opening set, Sabalenka double-faulted and led 4-3 with a wild smash.

Muchova would not be pushed aside, and after going close to a break in the seventh game, she earned it two games later. As the Czechs moved forward, penalty areas were filled with safe play at the net.

After making the best of the break, the unseeded Czech toasted it – the break rebounding to some excellent ground play from Sabalenka.

With nothing between the two, the opening set went to a breaker – and Muchova worked into an early advantage.

Unlike in the 10th game, Muchova didn’t squander the opportunity and finished the set with a blistering backhand down the line for a clean winner.

With Sabalenka struggling to lose the first set of the match, Muchova cashed in to grab a break early in the second game.

The Belarussian hit back and broke for a second time, looking to have a stranglehold on the second set, but her hand tightened at 4-3 and Mucholva immediately returned to serve.

After looking weak at the start of the second set, both players served with authority as it went to another breaker.

Sabalenka coughed up the first mini-break when sending a forehand into the net, but the prize was handed back when Muchova fired a backhand into the net.

No. The 2 seed turned up the decibel level and it seemed to do the trick as he earned a mini-break and set up the point for a double fault.

Muchova had a second chance on serve and set up a critical backhand return opportunity, which she took with a smash that her opponent couldn’t re-enter the court.

As the third set progressed, Mukwoa began to look tired. She saved four break points in her opening service game but could not keep her opponent at bay and Sabalenka made a break of serve to lead 4-2.

The 25-year-old defended the break with a solid hold against a tiring opponent, but to Muchova’s credit she saved a match point in the eighth game and forced Sabalenka to close it out on her own serve.

Despite seeing a tiring opponent across the net, Sabalenka threw a poor game as Muchova somehow managed to break back on serve for the match at 4-5 – and a love match to level the match.

Double faults have been a problem throughout Sabahlanka’s career, and they pounced in the 11th game. He coughed up two in a row, followed by a wild backhand and Muchova overcame a 6-5 lead.

After looking out on his feet a couple of games ago, Mukwoa revived and a glorious drop shot set up three match points – and converted for the first time as he asked to book his place in his first Grand Slam final.

„I don’t know what happened; the situation, the people pushed me all match,” Muchova said. „I tried to keep fighting and it worked. I’m very happy.”

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