Czech second seed Karolina Pliskova reached the French Open semi-finals for the first time on Wednesday with a 7-6, 6-4 win over home favourite Caroline Garcia.
Pliskova will play 2014 Roland Garros runner-up Simona Halep, who saved a match point and rallied from 6-3, 5-1 down to beat Elina Svitolina, in the last four. The Czech edged a marathon 77-minute first set against 28th seed Garcia in a tie-break, having failed to convert an earlier set point at 5-3.
The 25-year-old then broke Garcia as the Frenchwoman served to stay in the match to clinch just her second semi-final appearance at a Grand Slam.
“It was very tough. She played very well, we were both serving well. She played a great tournament, even today, it was 50-50, it came down to about two points I’m really glad I made it,” said Pliskova.
She entered this year’s Roland Garros with just two wins in five previous visits. “I am very happy. Before the tournament I wasn’t sure if I could play good tennis on clay.”
Pliskova, 25, will replace Angelique Kerber as the new world no. 1 if she makes the final in Paris.
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