[31] Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova has the talent, in fact many would say she is one of the most talented female players never to have won a major.

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova’s Credentials

Pavlyuchenkova is a 3 time Junior majors champion. She had fifty-two career major appearances and had 6 previous major quarterfinal appearances before making her first semifinal and final. The Russian took out three seeded players en route to her first major final here at Roland Garros. What an effort from the twenty-nine-year-old Russian.

What Makes Roland Garros So Unique?

It is the hardest major to play because it tests your emotional, mental, and physical strength.  Playing on clay shows you deep down on the inside what you are made of, and what you believe about yourself. It is tougher that all the other surfaces because points are longer and more grueling. They demand your mental fortitude, emotional stability, and physical fitness. When you win, you feel invincible.

Barbora Krejcikova Also Makes 1st Major Singles Final

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Pavlyuchenkova was not the only first time major finalist.  [33] Barbora Krejcikova with her three-hour plus marathon victory [7-5, 4-6, 8-7] was the other first time singles major finalist. Match points saved and squandered, and the mental toughness of the Czech player won in the end. These two first timers will compete on Saturday to see who will claim the French Open title and lift their first major singles trophy. Expect the first set to be a nervous feeling out as both players try to comprehend the enormity of what they are about to accomplish in their professional careers.  

Both Finalists Had To Battle Extremely Hard

The battle for each player was as much internal as it was external. Pavlyuchenkova had to battle past the hard hitting [85] Tamara Zidansek and her nerves. They traded breaks in both sets before the Russian secured the 7-5, 6-3 victory. Krejcikova played the longest semifinal of a major with her victory over [17] Maria Sakkari. Krejcikova had to battle her internal beliefs as well as a determined Sakkari.

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