Back in the spotlight: Bacsinszky improbably reaches French Open semis

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.

Bacsinszky, ranked 31st, was the slight underdog against the 13th-seeded Frenchwoman, but the stage was hardly too big for her. A former Top 10 player—the Swiss was ranked No. 9 just a little over a year ago—she reached the semis at Roland Garros in 2015.

She faced Serena Williams in the final four two years ago—losing in three after taking the first set—but her opponent this time around has quite a different resume.

Bacsinszky will take on 19-year-old Jelena Ostapenko for a spot in the title match. The unseeded Ostapenko, who upset Caroline Wozniacki in three sets on Tuesday, is the youngest French Open semifinalist since Ana Ivanovic in 2007. Prior to this tournament, the teenage Latvian had never even been past the third round at a Grand Slam.

Expect Bacsinszky and Ostapenko to have extra springs in their step on Thursday when they meet, and not just because they have the opportunity of a lifetime on the tennis court. June 8 almost happens to be both of their birthdays.

You just can’t make this stuff up.

Holding Serve with Roger Federer will air on Thursday, June 8th at 2 p.m. ET, only on Tennis Channel.

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