'Incredible': World No.5 ousted in historic French Open boilover
Argentine Nadia Podoroska has caused one of the great French Open boilovers by downing Ukrainian third seed Elina Svitolina 6-2 6-4 to become the first qualifier ever to reach the women's semi-finals.
Podoroska, the world No.131, making only her second appearance in the main draw of a grand slam, emulates the 23-year-old achievement of Belgium's Filip Dewulf as the only qualifier in either of the singles draws since tennis turned professional in 1968 to make it to the last four at Roland Garros.
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"It's a little bit difficult for me to speak after the match, thank you everybody for your support, I'm very, very happy," Podoroska said on Court Philippe Chatrier after her "dream run" continued.
"We did a very good job with my coaches during quarantine. That's why I'm here today."
The 23-year-old qualifier was later asked if she needed to pinch herself in the wake of the historic achievement.
"I don't want to wake up," she replied, clearly still coming to terms with the incredible victory.
"The toughest part for me was two or three years ago. I had too many injuries. My ranking dropped.
"I was eight months out of the tour. Then I didn't have the money to start playing tournaments."
Svitolina was one of the pre-tournament favourites after winning the Strasbourg International last month but found herself on the back foot throughout before failing at the last-eight stage for the third time in Paris.
Podoroska's history-making win was met with an outpouring of support on social media.
Nadia Podoroska’s Cinderella run continues!
The Argentinian qualifier defeats No.3 seed Elina Svitolina 64 64 to advance to the #RG20 semifinals.
She is the 1st qualifier to advance to a SF of Roland Garros and the 1st 🇦🇷 woman since 2004.
Faces either Swiatek or Trevisan.— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) October 6, 2020
Incredible.
#131 qualifier Nadia Podoroska beats #5 Elina Svitolina 6-2, 6-4 to reach the #RG20 semifinals in her first career #RolandGarros main draw.
Elina held serve once.
[getty] pic.twitter.com/4n2npORpa1— José Morgado (@josemorgado) October 6, 2020
Wow - what a match from Podoroska!
I do think Svitolina undid herself a bit too. It was almost as though she couldn't quite get over how good her opponent was - just got a bit negative...— Andrew (@AndrewMarkSP) October 6, 2020
Podoroska played confidently and aggressively, she deserved it!
— JeffPV (@jpv4real) October 6, 2020
Well there goes my bet for the ladies singles then,🙄 beaten in straight sets... well played Podoroska 👏
— June Campbell (@JunieCam) October 6, 2020
🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷
Nadia Podoroska was ranked No.255 at the start of the season and has now won 42 matches across all levels in 2020.
She will make her Top 100 debut after becoming the 1st Argentinian woman to reach the last eight in Paris since Paola Suárez’s SF showing in 2004.#RG20 pic.twitter.com/XGQ0i7xrGn— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) October 4, 2020
For first time in the Open era, a women's qualifier has reached the semifinals of the French Open. Nadia Podoroska of Argentina upsets No. 3 seed Elina Svitolina 6-2, 6-4 Nothing illogical about it if you watched it: #131 Podoroska in command with her forehand & clay-court tools pic.twitter.com/R88Nf33HyC
— Christopher Clarey (@christophclarey) October 6, 2020
Argentina's former world number three Gabriela Sabatini tweeted her congratulations to Podoroska, who added: "I have been in contact with Gaby.
"She's always supporting us, all the Argentinian sports. She's a very nice person. I'm happy that she's always with us."
Podoroska, a 23-year-old native of Rosario with Ukrainian ancestry, will next face Polish teenager Iga Swiatek who recovered from a nervy start to outclass Italian qualifier Martina Trevisan to reach the last-four.
The 19-year-old former Wimbledon junior champion, who thrashed top seed Simona Halep on Sunday, triumphed 6-3 6-1 over the 159th-ranked Trevisan in 78 minutes.
Swiatek, the world No.54, produced another dominant display, winning six of 11 break points, to become the first Polish woman to reach the French Open semis since Jadwiga Jedrzejowska was runner-up in 1939.
In a delayed fourth-round match, world No.57 Danielle Collins set up an all-American quarter-final with Sofia Kenin after a 6-4 4-6 6-4 victory over 30th seed Ons Jabeur.
with AFP
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