Slovenia's Zidanšek makes it to semi-finals of French Open
Paris, 8 June - Tamara Zidanšek continues to make Slovenian tennis history as she has advanced to the semi-finals of the French Open. The 23-year old defeated Paula Badosa of Spain in Tuesday's quarter finals in Paris in three sets (7:5, 4:6 and 8:6).
Melbourne, Australia
Slovenian player Tamara Zidanšek.
Photo: Xinhua/STA
File photo
Zidanšek became the first semi-finalist of Roland-Garros, one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments, and is awaiting the winner of the match between Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia.
In her first Grand Slam quarter-finals, the Slovenian needed almost two hours and a half to defeat the tough Spaniard, who got broken down only in the extra games in the last set.
Prior to the win, Zidanšek became the first Slovenian female tennis player to advance to the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam tournament in a singles competition since 1977, when Mima Jaušovec won it all on the Paris clay.
"I had known already before the match that it would be a difficult encounter. I was leading in the second set, but she came back. I did not feel quite well, but then in the third set I felt better and eventually I won," Zidanšek told reporters.
Prior do the tournament, she placed 85th on the WTA rankings and is expected to advance on the list after the career feat.