French Open: Karolina Muchova 'only player who has such finesse' says Chris Evert after Czech reaches final
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Published 08/06/2023 at 20:32 GMT
The finesse, variety and mobility of Karolina Muchova was saluted by Chris Evert following the Czech's stunning upset of Aryna Sabalenka in the French Open semi-finals. Evert said she was left "speechless" by a match that "had everything", as Muchova took five straight games in the third set to emerge victorious. Meanwhile, Mats Wilander compared Muchova to a former world No. 1.
'I don't know what happened!' - Muchova delighted with victory over Sabalenka to reach final
Karolina Muchova was the subject of a favourable comparison to Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina by Eurosport's Chris Evert after reaching the French Open final.
Muchova shocked Sabalenka on Court Philippe-Chatrier on Thursday, storming back in the third set to reel off five straight games and progress to her first-ever Grand Slam final.
It was a performance of high quality that will now see Muchova take on Swiatek in Saturday's final, and it left Eurosport's experts purring afterwards.
Evert said: “What a moment. I’m speechless; that match had everything you could ever want in a match. Muchova hasn’t played a lot of matches this year, but boy did she show us an improved game.
"She might have gotten injured, but she did some hard work during that time off. Her serve has a lot more stick on it, she is moving better than ever. We’re not even talking about the flair or finesse or variety she has.
“What makes her a great player is her mobility. Her movement on court, the way she can run from corner to corner is very good.
"I think she is a solid player, by that I mean consistent. She doesn’t make a lot of unforced errors. She has a nice serve; her temperament is excellent. She is very calm and her mentally and mindset is better than most.
“I love her variety. She can take you out of your safety zone with her drop shots, sliced backhand, coming to the net. She can surprise you and is so unpredictable. She is the only player that has such finesse.
"You look at the players that are dominating women’s tennis - Swiatek, Sabalenka, Rybakina - it’s all about power, not about finesse. Then Muchova comes along.
“Muchova is as good a tennis player as Sabalenka, she volleyed better and has better hands.”
Mats Wilander, also on Eurosport, was moved to make an illustrious comparison between Muchova and a now-retired former world No. 1.
“That was the best match on the women’s tour. We have a new Ash Barty - she is as close to Ash Barty but with a little more power," Wilander said.
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'She's done it!' - Muchova beats Sabalenka to make final at Roland-Garros
“I believe Muchova has improved her serve and trusts her serve. Her forehand has improved immensely, especially her inside-out forehand. In the end, she is so knowledgeable with a tennis racquet in her hand in terms of the variety."
On Sabalenka's performance at the tournament and what it means for her going forward, Wilander added: “I said to her, 'you are a superstar' and she thought she is not good enough. I said a superstar is someone that shines brighter than other stars, winning or losing is irrelevant.
"Sabalenka has broken through that barrier as she shows up and is smiling, she is angry, she is emotionally involved. She hits the ball harder than anyone. You don’t care where she’s from, you just want to see this wild woman full of energy hitting a tennis ball and she has become a superstar.
“For me, it’s incredible you can do that to Sabalenka who is so confident. Sabalenka has taken a step in the forward direction even though she lost this match.”
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Sabalenka: 'It's tough to say anything about Muchova defeat'
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