Coming into the 2023 French Open semifinals as an unseeded surprise, Karolina Muchova fought a hard-fought battle that lasted almost three hours. Despite struggling with leg cramps, the Czech player managed to survive a match point against Aryna Sabalenka, the world number two who had been unbeatable in Grand Slams throughout 2023. In a dramatic shift of momentum, Muchova swept the final five games to secure a 7-6 (5), 6-7 (5), 7-5 win, marking the first time she has reached a major final.
Unseeded Karolina Muchova was the unexpected competitor in the French Open 2023 semifinals. The young Czech player nearly battled for three hours and also dealt with cramping legs. Muchova was just one point from losing to World No.2 Aryna Sabalenka, who came into the clash on Thursday with a 12-0 Grand Slam record in 2023, including an Australian Open title. Muchova somehow worked well and found a way to get out of that difficult situation, snatching the last five games against a vulnerable Sabalenka for a 7-6 (5), 6-7 (5), 7-5 victory at Roland Garros to reach her first major final.
The final showdown this Saturday features Muchova against the defending champion, Iga Swiatek. Swiatek, currently the world number one, cruised into the final after defeating Beatriz Haddad Maia 6-2, 7-6 (7). The Polish star is now aiming for her third Roland Garros crown and her fourth Grand Slam title overall.
Ranked 43rd, the 26-year-old Muchova stands as the fourth-lowest-ranked woman to ever make it to the French Open final. Despite her ranking, she has proven to be a giant-killer, remaining undefeated (5-0) against the top three players in the world. The collapse of Aryna Sabalenka was particularly startling; the 25-year-old Belarusian held a match point while leading 5-2 in the final set, only for Muchova to save it with a brilliant forehand. From there, Muchova dominated, winning 20 of the last 24 points to seal the victory.
Reflecting on the loss, Sabalenka noted that Muchova shifted gears and began playing with much more aggression, which caused her to lose her rhythm. She admitted to feeling 'out of it' during those critical moments, explaining that Muchova's versatility on the court makes it very difficult to construct points. According to Sabalenka, Muchova's ability to be comfortable anywhere on the court forced her into hitting shots she didn't want to hit.
Before this run, Muchova's best major performance was a semifinal appearance at the 2021 Australian Open, and her only WTA title also came on hard courts. She had never progressed past the third round on the clay of Roland Garros until this tournament. Throughout the event, she has been incredibly consistent, dropping only a single set against Nadia Podoroska and Aryna Sabalenka. Earlier in the draw, Muchova admitted that clay isn't her preferred surface, though she felt confident in her ability to compete well on it.