A bundle of nerves & bundle of wins

PARIS, June 1

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World No. 1 Iga Swiatek shook off some early nerves to extend her winning series to a staggering 33 as she beat American Jessica Pegula 6-3 6-2 to book her spot in the French Open semifinals today.

Swiatek, who turned 21 on Tuesday, is on the longest unbeaten run in the women’s tour since Serena Williams bagged 34 victories in succession in 2013.

The Polish player, gunning for a second title in three years at Roland Garros, appeared a tad shaky in the initial games before marching past the 11th seed to set up a meeting with Russian Daria Kasatkina for a place in Saturday’s final.

The 2020 champion is bidding to become the fourth player since 2000 to lift the Suzanne Lenglen Cup multiple times after Justine Henin, Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova. — Reuters

Kasatkina’s recipe for success: French fries

Paris: Some players meditate, other medicate but for Daria Kasatkina the recipe for winning matches is simple: French fries. The Russian, who beat Viktoria Kudermetova in straight sets to cruise into her first-ever Grand Slam semifinals today, has not dropped a single set so far. “French fries make a lot of difference, I must say, and here they are good in France,” the Russian said. “If you play good, you have to treat yourself. Even if you are not playing good it’s not bad to treat yourself, because you are pushing and you are trying.” Reuters