‘We can do it!’ Zidansek and Badosa breaking new ground at Roland-Garros
Two rising stars of women’s tennis are flying the flag for their countries and picking up new achievements for themselves at the French Open this year
Tamara Zidansek looks thrilled at Roland-Garros in 2021 (Panoramic)
Two 23-year-olds will meet for the first time at senior level in their maiden Grand Slam quarter-finals as Tamara Zidansek and Paula Badosa prepare to face off at Roland-Garros on Tuesday.
The Slovenian got there by beating Romania’s Sorana Cirstea 7-6(4), 6-1, while the Spaniard beat former French Open finalist Marketa Vondrousova 6-4, 3-6, 6-2.
Zidansek talked afterwards about her pride in representing her nation and becoming the first Slovenian player to reach this stage of a Slam.
“I’m getting a lot of messages that everyone is watching. I’ve already said it means a lot to me. It means a lot to me that I’m able to get across to the message to young people and everyone in Slovenia that we can do it. We’re a small country, we don’t have that many players, but we have good players.”
The Spaniard beat the 20th seed Vondrousova in three sets – and spoke afterwards of the last time she played the same opponent at the same venue. That was back in 2015, when Badosa won the Roland-Garros girls’ singles title, defeating top seed Vondrousova in straight sets in the semi-finals.
“She was No 1 in the world in juniors in that moment,” Badosa recalled. “I knew that match was like a little bit the tournament match. I remember it was quite tough, very tactical match. She’s a very smart player. Today was the same six years after, but it was the same situation.
“She plays very smart. It was a tough one. I think I managed the nerves pretty well. I’m quite happy I could win the match and I played a good level in the third set.”
Badosa: Improving step by step
Badosa has been pleased with her progress in recent months, and said that although she was confident in her ability going into the clay-court season, she still feels like she is improving.
” I think I improve a little bit on everything: mentally, physically, my tennis has change[d] as well,” she explained. “I think I’m improving step by step every day a little bit.
“I think, of course, the confidence helps, believing on yourself. Every shot that I’m playing, I think I’m hitting it different since few months ago. I’m feeling more confidence. That, of course, helps. I think the most important that I’m improving day by day a little bit of everything.”
Zidansek and Badosa already know each other very well, being the same age and having faced each other in junior competition – but the Slovenian says that will have no bearing on their future quarter-final.
“It’s [a] completely different match,” she said. “It’s quarter-finals of a Grand Slam so I’m just going to get some good rest and prepare well for the match.”
