PARIS: Unseeded Czech Karolina Muchova advanced to her maiden Grand Slam final on Thursday at the French Open after defeating World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka in an electrifying semifinal 7-6(5), 6-7(5), 7-5.

Muchova, a former member of the Top 20, is presently rated No. 43. Muchova defeated Sabalenka by winning five straight games after saving a match point while behind 5-2 in the third set.

After starting the year 12-0 at the majors, Sabalenka, who won the Australian Open earlier this year, experienced her first defeat at a 2023 Grand Slam competition. If the defending champion, Iga Swiatek, falls in the second semifinal later on in the day, Sabalenka can still leave Paris as the No. 1 player in the world.

When playing against the top-ranked players in the world, Muchova once again played her best tennis. The Czech added another victory to her spotless record on Thursday. Muchova entered the semifinal with a 4-0 win-loss record against players who were ranked inside the Top 3 at the time of their clash.

If Muchova faces top seed Swiatek in Saturday's final, she might once more have to risk her perfect win-loss record against the Top 3. Swiatek and Beatriz Haddad Maia, the No. 14 seed, will square off in the second semifinal to determine Muchova's final opponent for the week.

On Monday, it is anticipated that the 26-year-old Muchova, who has struggled with injuries throughout her career, will reenter the Top 20 of the WTA rankings. If she triumphs at the Grand Slam on Saturday, she might break into the Top 10.

Muchova had previously advanced above the third round in four prior main-draw outings in Paris, but she had also previously reached the semifinals of the 2021 Australian Open and two Wimbledon quarterfinals. The Czech, however, was in excellent form this past week on clay, dropping just one set en way to the semifinals before rallying to beat Sabalenka.

Muchova joins Martina Navratilova, Lucie Safarova, Marketa Vondrousova, and Barbora Krejcikova as the fifth Czech women in the Open Era (since 1968) to reach the French Open singles final.

India’s Jyothi shines silver; Amlan Borgohain secure bronze

FIH Hockey PL: India goes down 1-4 to hosts Netherlands

Hockey Women’s Jr Asia: India looks to draw Vs Chinese Taipei