When both Barbora Krejcikova and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova set foot on Court Philippe-Chatrier on Saturday, they will need to compose themselves quickly. The women will be in unchartered waters, and both will know that they are just two (or three) sets away from achieving their lifelong dream.
Neither has ever faced the other before in singles, nor do they know what it is like to be alone on court with a Grand Slam singles title being just one win away.
The unseeded Krejcikova does have the experience of winning doubles Grand Slam titles in her corner, and Pavlyuchenkova that of her junior Grand Slam titles and triumphs.
A first senior singles Grand Slam title would mean so much to both women. From round one, they have quietly gone about their business; both have knocked out higher-ranked opponents and surpassed many people’s expectations of them.
Now, it is all about which one can work with their coaches and team to get it right, just one last time in Paris.
Krejcikova inspired and focused
Krejcikova’s semi-final against Maria Sakkari will go down in French Open history as one of the best women’s semi-finals there has been.
For three hours and 18 minutes, the two players battled each other and themselves. Neither had reached that stage before and Krejcikova withstood a match point, and then needed five of her own to overcome her tenacious opponent.
Well played ladies what a match
@mariasakkari @BKrejcikova @rolandgarros
— Andy Murray (@andy_murray) June 10, 2021
Throughout this Grand Slam, Krejcikova has spoken openly about how much the late Jana Novotna has shaped her as a person and a player.
“I really want to thank Mr [Jan] Kodes for coming, for supporting me,” Krejcikova said after her 7-5 4-6 9-7 win over Sakkari. “He was texting me the whole week. Also, Martina Navratilova was sitting there, so thank you so much. I really appreciate it. You’re my heroes.
“And also, Jana Novotna from upstairs. She is just really looking after me and I really miss her. I really want to thank her. Because of her, I am here. It’s really important for me to say this out loud.”
Krejcikova was not able to put her feet up after her semi-final victory, instead, she needed to prepare for the women’s doubles semi-final with her partner Katerina Siniakova.
It is a title the duo have won before, back in 2018, and despite the doubles (both women’s and mixed) adding a further eight hours and 58 minutes of court time for Krejcikova, the Czech athlete is ready for more.
“I just think it’s going to be a lot of fun,” she said about her singles final.
“I’m just really going to enjoy it, because I was never expecting to actually get this far during this tournament. I’m just going to have fun, enjoy and fight until the end.”
