Paris (AFP)

Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (32nd world) qualified Thursday at Roland Garros for her first Grand Slam tournament final, beating Slovenian Tamara Zidansek (85th) 7-5, 6-3 in the half.

Pavlyuchenkova will face for the title the winner of the other semi-final between Greece's Maria Sakkari (18th) and Czech Barbora Krejcikova (33rd).

"Wow, I wanted it so badly that I don't know what I'm feeling anymore, it's a lot of emotions, I'm very happy but very tired too," she said.

She became the first player to exceed 50 Grand Slam appearances before reaching the final (52).

At 29, the Russian was stronger than her opponent, six years her junior.

His aggressive play (155 winning strokes, tournament record, to reach the semi-finals) once again hit the mark.

Zidansek, 85th, managed more (27 against 19), but she also and above all committed more unforced errors than the Russian (33 against 22).

"Tennis is such a mental sport, at 90% that's what's really difficult. I tried to fight on every ball, every point, to work tactically too. Sometimes with the emotions I put balls. everywhere and my brother (his trainer, Editor's note)) told me: + Think a little! + I'm happy to have been able to win despite the stress and fatigue, "Pavlyuchenkova underlined.

She was also significantly more experienced than Zidansek since she had already played six times in the Major quarter-finals (Australia 2017, 2019, 2020, Wimbledon 2016, US Open 2011, Roland-Garros 2011) without succeeding until then to pass in the last square.

The Slovenian had never passed the second round in a Grand Slam.

She is the first player from her country to reach a major semi-final.

With 12 titles on the charts, Pavlyuchenkova was also by far the most successful of the four quarter-finalists.

Now she will be aiming for her first major title on Saturday.

"This is my first final, I want to have fun, to play well, and whatever the result," she said.

She will return to the World Top20 on Monday, after reaching 13th place in 2011. And if she wins, she will be 14th.

Zidansek will make her entry into the Top 50.

17 years ago, Anastasia Myskina and Elena Dementieva were the first Russians to reach the final of a Grand Slam, followed by Maria Sharapova, Svetlana Kuznetsova, Dinara Safina and then Vera Zvonareva.

For six years and 24 Majors, no Russian had reached the final of a Grand Slam tournament, the last being Sharapova in Australia in 2015, beaten by Serena Williams.

© 2021 AFP