Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia plays a forehand in her French Open semi-final win over Tamara Zidansek of Slovenia at Roland Garros in Paris. Photo: Clive Brunskill/Getty ImagesAnastasia Pavlyuchenkova continued her late blooming at Roland Garros by defeating Tamara Zidansek to reach the French Open final. The Russian was the world junior number one aged just 14 and now, 15 years later, she will play for a first grand slam title on the Parisian clay. Zidansek was the outsider of a hugely unexpected final four, none of whom had ever stood on this stage at a slam before. Maria Sharapova, the last Russian to win the women's singles title at Roland Garros, was quick to tweet her admiration for her compatriot's victory.

Source: Irish Independent June 10, 2021 17:37 UTC