Five things to know about Nadia Podoroska

Nadia Podoroska had never claimed a Grand Slam match before this year's Roland Garros. Now the Argentine has three under her belt and will surely be making her Top-100 debut.

Earlier this year, Podoroska sat at No. 258, but she would start the season on a winning note by claiming a W25K ITF event in Malibu and another shortly after in France. After nearly six months without any action due to COVID-19, the tour would trickle back to life. So Podoroska quickly returned to her winning ways, taking a W60K ITF event in France just before Roland Garros.

Despite a pandemic that ate away much of the season, it's been a successful year for the 23-year-old. As Podoroska continues her inspiring journey in Paris, these are five things to know about the on-fire competitor.

1

The win streak

Podoroska won the W60K ITF event in Paris earlier this month by winning a total of five matches there before beginning her three-match run through qualifying at Roland Garros. She would go on to beat Greet Gimmen, No. 23 seed Yulia Putintseva, and Anna Karolína Schmiedlova.

2

Making history

The Rosario, Argentina native became the first Argentine woman since 2011 to reach the Round of 16 since Gisela Dulko in 2011. Though her name is Russian, she and her parents were born in Argentina and she doesn't speak Rusisan.

3

First title

Podoroska captured her first event as a professional player back in 2013 at a W10K ITF event in Santiago. She has won 14 total and is currently ranked No. 131.

4

Idol Gabriela Sabatini

"I started to play tennis when I was five years old, but it was just because I want to play tennis. No one in my family played," Podoroska said. "When I was a child I saw the legend in Argentina, we didn't have too many players when I was growing up, and we always have Gabriela Sabatini, she was like a hero for me and for all female tennis."

5

A dream come true

The fiery competitor is thriving despite the cold Paris conditions and is not affected by the few spectators since that is what she has been used to at the ITF level.

"It's like a dream come true. Yeah, it's been an amazing tournament for me. I didn't expect this result, so I'm very happy," Podoroska said.

Podoroska will next face world No. 114 Barbora Krejcikova for a spot in the quarterfinals.