2023 Roland Garros, on Clay, in Paris, France, 28 May - 11 June 2023.
Defending champion:
Iga Swiatek (1) who defeated CoCo Gauff (18) 6-1 6-3
Semi final (1):
Karolina Muchova v Aryna Sabalenka (2)
Sabalenka won the only previous contest between the players - semi final in Zhuhai - Elite Trophy.
Sabalenka served first and held impressively.
Muchova levelled at 1-1, her slice used to good effect.
Three ripping returns from Sabalenka in the fourth game gave her a break chance.
It was saved with a Muchova ace.
Muchova held serve after saving a second break point.
Serving at 3-4 and 0-30, Muchova hit three clean winners and eventually held for 4-4.
A loose game from Sabalenka followed, and Muchova broke serve, with two winners clinching the game.
Muchova served for the set.
Two backhands from Muchova gave her 30-15, but a Sabalenka winner tied it at 30-30.
Set point after Muchova forced Sabalenka into error.
Saved with a Sabalenka winner,
Break back point after another forehand winner.
Backhand long from Muchova and 5-5.
Tie break ultimately needed.
The first three points were played poorly by Sabalenka, and she was behind a mini break.
The mini break was retrieved and it was on serve until Sabalenka served at 5-6.
Muchova ended a searching rally with a backhand winner to take the set 7-6(5).
Muchova broke Sabalenka straight away in set two and led 2-0.
Sabalenka broke back immediately for 1-2.
Sabalenka broke again to lead 4-3 but couldn’t capitalise and Muchova levelled at 4-4.
Another tie break came and this time Sabalenka prevailed 7-6(5), forcing a decider.
Muchova was down 0-40 in game two of set three, but saved all three break points.
She saved a fourth break point with an ace and then held serve for 1-1.
Muchova, serving at 2-3, had 30-15, but two wonderful backhands from Sabalenka produced a break point.
It was converted and the lead was extended to 4-2.
At 30-30 in the following game, Sabalenka hit a stunning backhand to end a terrific rally, then served an ace to finish the game.
Muchova served to stay in the match.
A match point was saved with a forehand winner and serve was held.
Sabalenka served for the match at 5-3, but was broken and led 5-4.
Serving at 5-5 and 40-15, Sabalenka fell apart and her serve was broken, leaving Muchova to serve for the match.
Karolina Muchova served it out to love, and won 7-6(5) 6-7(5) 7-5, earning her spot in the Roland Garros final.
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