Player(s) of the Day: Tamara Zidansek & Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova

While the men’s French Open is once again looking like chalk, with Rafael Nadal once again dominating the field, the women’s tournament is where the excitement lies. Perennial major quarterfinalist Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova finally reached the final four for the first time in her 16-year career with an ice-cold 6-7 (2), 6-2, 9-7, victory over Elena Rybakina.

In the day’s first quarterfinal, world No. 85 Tamara Zidansek upset Spanish hopeful Paula Badosa Gibert 7-5, 4-6, 8-6. Not only has Zidansek never made a major semifinal until today, she’s never even won a WTA title before. But as we’ve seen in 2017 with Jelena Ostapenko and 2020 with Iga Swiatek, anything can happen on the women’s side.

“It sounds crazy, even to me,” Zidansek told Tennis Channel following her victory. “Right now, I am going to try and focus on the next match."

Zidansek and Pavlyuchenkova will face off for a spot in the final.