French Open semifinalist Vondrousova drop shotting her way to success

The 19-year-old Marketa Vondrousova is announcing herself as another teen with touch coming up on the WTA tour.

The Czech is into her first Grand Slam semifinal at the French Open, defeating Petra Martic to set up a meeting with Johanna Konta. This season, she has defeated several top names, including Simona Halep, Daria Kasatkina, Jelena Ostapenko, and Elise Mertens, and reached two WTA finals.

“I’m just really happy with my game,” said Vondousova.

And her game is also an unusual one, as she describes.

"Play drop shots," Vondousova said, laughing. "I had one coach in the city when I was born, and he played this kind of stuff —drop shots and stuff—so I maybe learned it from him.

"I'm just trying to play aggressive and maybe mix the points, and I just want to serve well, and move well. I think all of this is my game."

There was no disagreement from her quarterfinal opponent, Martic, who had defeated the left-hander in the Istanbul final but found her even better at Paris.

"I think she's the best mover on tour. Her legs—it's incredible," she said, comparing Vondousova with French Open champion Simona Halep.

"Just a bit more spin than Halep. No free points, incredible touch, moving incredible."

Vondousova was among three teenagers to reach the second week at the French Open.