The semifinals at the French Open in Paris will be the debutante ball on Thursday.

Tamara Zidansek against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Barbora Krejcikova against Maria Sakkari - if you had bet on these pairings in the semifinals before the tournament, you would be rich now.

With the defending champion Iga Swiatek, the last favorite in the quarter-finals was eliminated on Wednesday.

The 20-year-old Polish lost 4: 6, 4: 6 against the Greek Sakkari.

Previously, the Czech Krejcikova had won against the 17-year-old American Cori Gauff 7: 6 (8: 6), 6: 3.

It is the first time in the history of the French Open since professional tennis was introduced in 1968 that all four players celebrate their semi-finals premiere at a Grand Slam tournament.

Only at the Australian Open 1978 had there been a similar case.

"All four played well this year, so it doesn't come out of nowhere," commented Sakkari, who was ranked 18 in the world.

the best placed in the semifinals, the unusual constellation.

The favorites Ashleigh Barty, Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams failed early.

Roller coaster ride

“I can't believe I'm in the semi-finals here,” said Krejcikova after her rollercoaster ride in a duel with Gauff. The American was the determining player in the first set, but awarded five set balls. Krejcikova, who had already won the tournament in Strasbourg before the French Open, kept her nerve in the important phases and after 1:11 hours in the first attempt then won the first round in the tiebreaker.

Gauff then completely lost the rhythm, so that Krejcikova quickly moved away to 5-0. The American did not give up, but with the sixth match point, the Czech made progress after 1:50 hours. Two days earlier, the Czech almost missed the last 16 against American Sloane Stephens because she had a panic attack shortly before the game. This time she handled the pressure better. Krejcikova now has two chances for the final in Paris because she is still represented in doubles.

Swiatek was never able to build on their strong performances at Stade Roland Garros against Sakkari. The Polish woman was bandaged on her thigh and did not seem quite as dynamic as normal. However, Sakkari also showed a very strong performance and followed her compatriot Stefanos Tsitsipas into the semifinals. The Greek will play against Alexander Zverev on Friday.