Tamara Zidansek has authored another remarkable chapter in her Cinderella run through the French Open becoming the first Slovenian player, man or woman, to reach a Grand Slam singles semifinal with a 7-5, 4-6, 8-6 victory over 33rd seed Paula Badosa.
The 85th-ranked Slovenian hit 48 winners to only 39 errors while Badosa racked up 47 errors compared to only 31 winners in the two hour, 26 minute quarterfinal thriller on Court Phillipe Chatrier.
Slovenian authors another upset to reach last four
Badosa started out the stronger of the two, breaking with a backhand winner down the line on her second chance in the opening game of the match. The Spaniard then overpowered the Slovenian to grab a second break.
Zidansek soon retrieved both breaks and levelled the set at 3-3 and after exchanging breaks, it was the 85th-ranked Slovenian that closed fast, gutting out a hold and breaking Badosa when the Spaniard committed consecutive unforced errors.
After routine holds to start the second set, Badosa was the first to blink as she double-faulted to give Zidansek three break points. Saving the first, a forehand down the line went just wide on the second as the Slovenian took a 3-1 lead.
That started a run of four straight breaks and the 33rd seed was the one to finish with a flourish, a poor Zidansek drop shot giving her triple set point and a wayward forehand giving Badosa the set and leveling the match at one set apiece.
She then broke to start the third set as another Zidansek forehand wasn't even close, but the Slovenian fought back, her drop shot in the fourth game securing the break back. Both players held, but the world number 85 was made to save two break points to inch in front 7-6.
Serving to stay in the match, Badosa sent a pair of forehands well out and with Zidansek holding two match points, she saves the first, but the Slovenian takes the second with her 48th --- and final winner of the match to continue her storybook run in Paris.
