ByErik Gudris | @atntennis | Tuesday, June 6, 2023
No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka stopped Elina Svitolina 6-4, 6-4, to set up a Roland Garros semifinal vs. Karolina Muchova.
Photo credit: Getty
In one of the highest profile sports meetings since the start of the Russia and Ukraine conflict, world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus powered past Elina Svitolina of Ukraine 6-4, 6-4 to reach the Roland Garros semifinals for the first time in her career.
For Sabalenka, the overall match proved relatively straightforward for the reigning Australian Open champion, who continues her quest for a second major title of the year and a possible shot at the World No. 1 ranking.
The only real drama came at the end of the match when, as expected, Svitolina did not shake hands with her opponent. Svitolina, like many of her fellow Ukrainian players, has made it publicly known that they would not shake hands with any Russian or Belarus opponents.
Sabalenka, for her part, waited at the net as if expecting the handshake. Later, as Svitolina walked off the court, she heard several boos from some fans in the crowd who probably didn't know about her stance.
Sabalenka, who enjoyed an appreciative round of applause for her victory, later thanked the crowd.
"The atmosphere was amazing. Thank you so much for being here and supporting us," Sabalenka said smiling. "We all know that you are waiting for Novak, but I'll take it like it was for me!"
Svitolina, afterward, spoke about the awkward situation up at net from both her opponent and the crowd.
"I don't know, to be fair, what she was waiting, because my statements were clear enough about the handshake. Secondly, no, it was quite expected. I was expecting that. Whoever in this situation loses, I guess, gets booed, so I was expecting that. It was not a surprise for me."
When asked if she thought Sabablenka inflamed the situation by standing at the net, Svitolina replied, "Yeah I think so unfortunately."
Sabalenka, in her own press conference, issued her strongest statement yet when asked about the conflict.
“I don't want my country to be involved in any conflict. I said it many times, and you know where I stand, you know. You have my position. You have my answer. I answered it many times. I'm not supporting the war.”
Sabalenka entered the match as the favorite, while Svitolina, returning to the tour after maternity leave and married to French veteran Gael Monfils, was the likely sentimental favorite due to her surprise run to the last eight in Paris.
Early on in the first set, it appeared that both women might be out on the stadium court for a long time. Svitolina, with steady play from the baseline, rattled Sabalenka in the opening games.
Svitolina, while leading up 4-3, appeared poised to take the set.
But that's when things changed in Sabalenka's favor when Svitolina missed a forehand putaway early in the next game. That turned the tide in favor of Sabalenka who quickly improved her tennis and then raced through the next games to take the set 6-4 after 38 minutes.
The 28-year-old Svitolina, a former World No. 3 herself, swung back the momentum on her side early in the second set. Svitolina broke serve and jumped out to a 2-0 lead. Though she had an opportunity for a 3-0 lead, Sabalenka dug in and broke back.
From there, Sabalenka's power and ability to paint the lines with her shot proved too much for Svitolina who found herself scrambling on all sides of the court just to keep up.
Sabalenka, after earning a break lead at 4-2, soon found herself serving for the match at 5-4.
Though Svitolina tested Sabalenka by getting to 30-all in the next game, her opponent proved ready to pass the test. A big forehand from Sabalenka earned her a first match point.
Though Sabalenka missed out on that opportunity, she soon earned a second match point. Sabalenka sealed the 6-4, 6-4 win with a potent forehand combo.
Sabalenka will next face Karolina Muchova in the semifinals. World No. 43 Muchova defeated 2021 finalist Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 7-5, 6-2, in today's opening quarterfinal.