World number 85 Zidansek into French Open semi-finals

Tamara Zidansek 

PARIS (AFP): World number 85 Tamara Zidansek became the first woman from Slovenia to reach the semi-finals of a Grand Slam at the French Open on Tuesday, while Stefanos Tsitsipas hoped to stay on course for a first major final ahead of his match against rival Daniil Medvedev.

The unheralded Zidansek advanced 7-5, 4-6, 8-6 against Spain’s Paula Badosa and will play Kazakh 21st seed Elena Rybakina or 31st-seeded Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia for a place in Saturday’s final.

“I’m really, really happy to be in the semi-finals,” said Zidansek, who had never gone beyond the second round of a Slam before this year’s Roland Garros.

Zidansek recovered from 3-0 and a double break down in the first set and then saved three break points at 6-6 in the decider against Badosa, the 33rd seed with the most clay court wins (17) on the WTA tour this season.