World number two Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus powered past Ukraine's Elina Svitolina 6-4 6-4 in a highly anticipated clash on Tuesday to reach the Roland Garros semifinals.
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The match was an intriguing prospect with Svitolina, who last year became a mother, refusing to shake hands with players from Russia or Belarus following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine last year, which it calls a 'special military operation'.
Australian Open champion Sabalenka, who next faces Czech Karolina Muchova, caused a furore by snubbing the media after her last two matches, having been grilled about the war and her country's involvement as a staging ground for Russian troops.
But she was all business on Court Philippe Chatrier, cruising through her quarterfinal in straight sets despite a flurry of 37 unforced errors compared to her opponent's 12.
"She's a tough opponent, she moves very well," Sabalenka said of her challenging start to the game. "What she did after giving birth is impressive I have respect for her.
Clay + @SabalenkaA = ??#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/7tishBwYBN
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 6, 2023
"I'm happy with the win and the atmosphere," the Belarusian added. "We all know you are waiting for Novak (Djokovic who plays next) but I'll take it as if it's for me."
With several Ukrainian flags unfurled in the half-empty stands, the pair traded blows at the start with neither managing to carve out a break point in the first eight games.
But favourite Sabalenka, aiming for the world number one spot with a title win in Paris, grabbed the key break and then served out the first set a little later, with her opponent looping a backhand wide.
Svitolina broke for 2-0 in the second set as Sabalenka hit her 23rd unforced error but the Ukrainian was still on the back foot in most points and allowed her opponent to pull the break back when she netted a backhand.
Sabalenka continued her demolition job, breaking again for 3-2 with a forehand winner.
Svitolina stayed afloat thanks to her opponent's unforced errors, but the outcome was always in the Belarusian's hands.
Sabalenka ended it on the second match point with yet another forehand winner and boos were heard from the stands as Svitolina walked straight to her bench without shaking hands, while Sabalenka waited at the net.
Aryna Sabalenka has yet to drop a set en route to a first semifinal in Paris, defeating Elina Svitolina 6-4, 6-4.
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 6, 2023
Watch the highlights ??#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/fI6SNAS0e3
Aryna Sabalenka gets the better of Elina Svitolina to advance to the French Open semi-finals! ??
— Eurosport (@eurosport) June 6, 2023
The two do not share a handshake at the net ?#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/OR0SLzLJwZ
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MUCHOVA PUMMELS PAVLYUCHENKOVA
Earlier, Muchova stopped resurgent former runner-up Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in her tracks with a 7-5 6-2 victory to march into the semifinals for the first time in her career.
"I don't know what to say, it's been an incredible two weeks and I'm glad I'm still in the competition," Muchova said.
Rolling into the final 4?
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 6, 2023
World No.43 @karomuchova7 is into the #RolandGarros SF for the first time, blasting past Pavlyuchenkova in straight-sets 7-5 6-2. pic.twitter.com/VM1XAQ1rNl
Muchova has largely flown under the radar in Paris this year after she stunned eighth seed Maria Sakkari in the opening round and the unseeded 26-year-old began brightly in front of a sparse Court Philippe Chatrier crowd with an early break.
But Pavlyuchenkova, who has fallen to 333 in the world after a knee injury kept her out of action for seven months last year, stayed within touching distance with a tight hold and sprung to life in the next game to draw level at 3-3.
After the pair exchanged breaks again, Muchova pinned her 31-year-old Russian opponent back with some deep groundstrokes to bag the opening set without fuss and made early inroads in the next as Pavlyuchenkova faded under the midday sun.
Muchova appeared more comfortable in the second set and built a commanding 5-1 lead before Pavlyuchenkova showed some signs of resistance.
But there was no comeback on the cards as Muchova closed out the match on serve, celebrating the victory when Pavlyuchenkova fired a shot wide.
Reflections from @karomuchova7 on advancing to the final four ????#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/ksfYf5tVfd
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 6, 2023