Daria Kasatkina as the 20th seed has a real shot at her first Grand Slam title. The Russian is in sparkling form at Roland Garros so far.
Daria Kasatkina a real contender
Russian 20th seed Daria Kasatkina has made the semi final of Roland Garros. The Russian has been in impressive form through the earlier rounds. The seed has barely been troubled en route to the semi final. Kasatkina strolled through the first round match against Slovakian Rebecca Šramková. The Russian lost only two games to move into the second round.
Fernanda Contreras Gomez wasn’t much more of a challenge for the Russian. Kasatkina lost only three games as she defeated the Mexican in straight sets. The seed was then against American Shelby Rogers. This match up was a little more of a challenge for the Russian, but the seed still progressed in straight sets. Rogers managed to get more games on the board, as Kasatkina lost five games in the whole match and moved into the fourth round.
The excellent form continued 28th seed Camila Giorgi. The Italian defeated the seventh seed the round before in a three set thriller. However, the Russian was just too good for Giorgi. Kasatkina lost only four games as she dominated to move into the quarter final.
Her toughest match to date was that quarter final against compatriot Veronika Kudermetova. One break of serve in the first set, and a tiebreak in the second meant that the 20th seed moved onto the semi final and a meeting with the top seed as the reward.
Although the Russian has been on great form in Paris, Kasatkina will not be able to replicate this on the grass at Wimbledon. Due to the AELTC decision to ban Russian and Belarussian players as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the 20th seed will not be able to compete at this years event.
Back to Paris, and Kasatkina has a meeting with Iga Świątek. The top seed has also been having a good time at Roland Garros, but some of the matches have been much tougher than others. A very exciting match in prospect on Phillipe-Chatrier Court tomorrow.
Could the Russian get the better of Swiatek, and then go on to claim a maiden Slam? On current form it is entirely possible. The Pole will of course be favorite, having already claimed a Grand Slam title at this very event. Do not discount the Russian though, who is currently on an excellent run.
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