Shocks continue as Podoroska dismisses Svitolina to reach Roland-Garros semi-finals
Yet another seed fell on the clay of Court Philippe-Chatrier – this time at the hands of a woman who came through qualifying to reach the main draw.
Nadia Podoroska (arg)
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Roland-Garros, quarter-final
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PODOROSKA d. SVITOLINA, 6-2, 6-4
- Key info: The world No 131 sprang yet another surprise at the 2020 French Open to join an exclusive list of qualifiers.
- You will also learn: Who she may face in the semi-finals.
- Why you should read this: The Ukrainian was the highest-ranked player left in the women’s draw.
The shocks continued at Roland-Garros as world No 131 Nadia Podoroska knocked out Elina Svitolina – the highest seed left in the women’s side of the draw – 6-2, 6-4.
The Argentinian became just the third qualifier in the Open era to reach a Grand Slam semi-final – the first this century – and the only qualifier ever to reach the last four at the French Open.
The third-seeded Ukrainian was left flailing from the outset as Podoroska came out aggressively and chased down every ball, punishing Svitolina’s serve, and claiming the match with her third match point.
“I really trained a lot with all of my time – I think that’s why I’m here today,” the 23-year-old said afterwards, reflecting on her time during lockdown earlier in the year.
It has paid off. She has 42 wins under her belt across the board so far this year.
And before this tournament, she had not won a main draw match at a Slam or recorded a victory against a player ranked in the top 50.
Seeded eighth during qualifying, where she won each of her three matches in straight sets, Podoroska has dropped just two sets en route to the semi-final – one in the fourth round to Barbora Krejcikova, and one in the second round to another vanquished seed, Yulia Putintseva.
Podoroska will face another unseeded player in the semi-finals – the winner of the quarter-final between Poland’s Iga Swiatek and Italy’s Martina Trevisan.
