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Argentinian outsider ranked world No 131 wins 6-2, 6-4

She will face either Iga Swiatek or Martina Trevisan in last four

This was already a Roland Garros for the little person, a two-week affirmation of the quality of competition away from the top of the men’s and women’s tours, but the world No 131 Nadia Podoroska took things even further on Tuesday by shocking the No 3 seed Elina Svitolina 6-2, 6-4 to reach the semi-final on her debut. She will face Iga Swiatek or the qualifier Martina Trevisan for a place in the final, marking just the second time since 1983 that two unseeded female players will compete in a slam semi-final.
There are numerous explanations for why lower-ranked players like Hugo Gaston, a French wildcard ranked 239 who reached the fourth round after upsetting Stan Wawrinka, and the qualifier Podoroska have thrived in Paris. Most have spoken of how the quarantine period allowed them the time and space to build their conditioning and mental strength away from the tour, while the uniqueness of the slow, damp clay courts in early October have offered drop shots and guile a more prominent seat at the table. Continue reading...