Seventeen-year-old [51] Amanda Anisimova (USA) did the unthinkable; in their first meeting she defeated the defending champion, [3] Simona Halep (ROU), in straight sets. The New Jersey native is into her first major semifinals and she has done so without dropping a set.
I don’t know how many people expected this, but I certainly did not. I anticipated some early nerves for both players; however, it was the teenager who initially controlled her tension better. Serving 4-1 up in the second set, thoughts started going through her mind at the possibility of this massive victory; her body overwhelmed with signals suddenly malfunctioned, and she made a slew of errors to get broken. Nevertheless, she regained her composure despite a last-ditched push from Halep. Anisimova would not be denied; she broke the defending champion at 5-4 up to win the match 6-2, 6-4 and will next face [8] Ashleigh Barty (AUS) for the first time. Barty has finesse and movement as her best weapons, can Anisimova’s power pin her back.
Is This Konta’s Major?
[26] Johanna Konta (GBR) is having the tournament of her career, and she is doing this after a not so promising start to her 2019 season. She started to figure the clay out in April when she lost the final in Rabat. She backed that up by getting to the final in Italy, so she is primed for this encounter; however, this is the furthest she has ever gone at the French Open. If Konta wants to get to her third final on clay this season, she will have to get by [38] Marketa Vondrousova (CZE), the other teenager left in the draw. Their head to head is tied 1:1, with Konta winning their most recent battle on clay in Italy.
Can Thiem Stop Djokovic?
[1] Novak Djokovic (SRB) was pushed early in the first set; however, once he regained control, there was no stopping him. [5] Alexander Zverev (GER) lost his serve and his nerve and it was downhill from there. I did not expect Zverev to throw in the towel so easily, he was always such a fighter, makes me wonder what is going on in his head these days. Movement and return are Djokovic’s best weapons, Thiem will have to neutralize these by hitting behind Djokovic and serving with accuracy.
Djokovic won 7-5, 6-2, 6-2 and will contest the semifinals against [4] Dominic Thiem (AUT). Thiem had an easy time as well against [10] Karen Khachanov (RUS). The Austrian won 6-2, 6-4, 6-2. Last year’s semifinalist will have a battle on his hands as he has only been able to defeat Djokovic twice in eight attempts and they are tied 1:1 in matches played at Roland Garros. Movement will be key for Thiem and he has to protect his serve early and be consistent.
SOURCE OF IMAGES: Zimbio.com (Getty Images Europe-main image by Clive Brunskill: Ashleigh Barty)
