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By Chris Oddo | Tuesday, June 2, 2015

 
Safarova

Lucie Safarova has still not dropped a set at Roland Garros. She advanced past Garbine Muguruza to reach the semifinals in Paris, 7-6(3), 6-3.

Photo Source: Julian Finney/Getty

Lucie Safarova is the only woman remaining in the French Open draw that has yet to drop a set, and though she was tested by a game Garbine Muguruza on Tuesday in Paris, she kept her record unblemished with a 7-6(3), 6-3 victory over the 21-year-old on Court Suzanne Lenglen.

“I’m so excited,” said Safarova, who has also won all five tiebreakers she has played in the tournament, including one during her shock upset of two-time champion Maria Sharapova in the last round. “It’s tough to describe those feelings. It was amazing today.”

The victory ensures that Safarova will reach the Top 10 for the first time in her career, and she could climb as high as No. 6 in the world with a title.

In gusty winds, Safarova and Muguruza played a high-quality first set that saw the Spaniard save six break points to get to a tiebreaker. But a run of inspired play, characterized by sound ball-striking and quick, agile defense enabled Safarova to take control in the tiebreaker.

In the second set Safarova jumped out to a 2-0 lead before the hard-hitting Muguruza rallied to level.

But Safarova would take the next two games for a 4-2 lead, then save a break point for a crucial hold and a 5-2 advantage.

Two games later the Czech would put an end to Muguruza’s hopes, cracking a backhand winner to send herself into her second career Grand Slam semifinal and first at Roland Garros.

“It was very windy out there and the balls were moving so you really had to be ready,” said Safarova. “But it was same for both players.” Muguruza, one of two players to have reached back-to-back quarterfinals this year in Paris along with Sara Errani, saved six of eight break points and hit 24 winners against 29 unforced errors on the day.

Safarova, who will advance and face Ana Ivanovic in the semis, struck 28 winners against 18 unforced errors. Ivanovic ended a five-match winning streak against Safarova last year in Tokyo, but the Czech owns the 5-3 lifetime edge.

“I’m excited and ready,” she said.

 

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