At times during her nearly 13-year career, Timea Bacsinszky has been branded, and played like, a star. At other, more disillusioned periods, she’s found herself somewhat off the radar.
Ten days into the second major of 2017, the Swiss is officially back in the spotlight.
Battling heavy winds, discouraging fans and two rain delays, Bacsinszky fought her way into the French Open semifinals on Tuesday with an exceptional 6-4, 6-4 win over home favorite Kristina Mladenovic.
Play was halted with the veteran leading, 6-4, 1-1. When play resumed, they traded breaks before Bacsinszky went on a roll, winning 12 of the next 15 points. Play was stopped a second time with Bacsinszky leading 4-3 in the second set. When they returned to the court, she held for 5-3 and clinched a semifinal berth when Mladenovic sent a forehand wide.