Little more than a year ago, an injury-laden Karolina Muchova was told her tennis career could be over.
But on the rollercoaster that is life, the toughest moments make way for the highest of highs – in this case a first Grand Slam final at the French Open.
Just as she has to had to fight back from injuries – to her back, her abdominals, her ankle – she had to battle on court, with world number two Aryna Sabalenka her challenge to overcome.
More than three hours later, Muchova and her weary body came out on top in a 7-6 (7-5) 6-7 (5-7) 7-5 epic.
Muchova’s win means there is a first-time Grand Slam singles finalist playing in the French Open women’s final for a fifth successive year
Muchova became one of the lowest ranked players (43rd in the world) to reach the French Open women’s final as she edged a thriller against Belarusian second seed Aryna Sabalenka.
Defending champion Swiatek, 22, won 6-2 7-6 (9-7) against Brazilian 14th seed Beatriz Haddad Maia later on Thursday.
Sabalenka’s exit means Swiatek will remain world number one, a position she has held for 62 consecutive weeks, after she beat 27-year-old Haddad Maia.
“I don’t really know what happened,” said Muchova, who is the fourth lowest-ranked woman to reach the final after Swiatek, Jelena Ostapenko and Renata Tomanova.
“It is unbelievable. I tried to keep fighting and it worked. I’m so happy.”
