Pavlyuchenkova's long wait

“It was a long journey,” said the 29-year-old before the final against unseeded Czech Barbora Krejcikova this Saturday (15.00 p.m.). “There were a lot of ups and downs, it wasn’t easy,” Pavlyuchenkova said.

She is the first Russian woman in the final of a Grand Slam tournament since the great, but now retired, Maria Sharapova at the Australian Open in 2015. “I really didn’t expect that I would make it to the final here this year,” said the world number 32. “But you can’t plan something like that anyway.” Highly traded After all, many had already believed her to have a breakthrough. She played her way to number one in the world among juniors and was considered a promising talent for great success. But injuries kept bothering her. Nevertheless, she made it to the quarterfinals of all four Grand Slams - but after that it was always over. Most recently last year at the Australian Open in Melbourne.

Wants to stop Pavlyuchenkova: Barbora Krejcikova © APA/afp / ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT

But Pavlyuchenkova continued to believe in herself, worked even harder, and spoke to a sports psychologist again and again. The Naomi Osaka case has just shown again how important it is to deal with pressure and expectations. The figurehead in women's tennis withdrew before the second round in Paris. The Japanese woman made it public that she is struggling with depression and wants to stay out of the spotlight for the time being.

Pavlyuchenkova will be there on Saturday. In the semi-final against Slovenia's Tamara Zidansek, she had her nerves well under control. That will also be the key against Krejcikova. For both of them it is the first Grand Slam final of their careers. The 25-year-old Czech is also in top form and just celebrated her first title at the tournament in Strasbourg in the run-up to the French Open. But Pavlyuchenkova has waited so long, now she wants the title too. “There’s only one game left,” said the Russian.

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Pavlyuchenkova's long wait

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova has had to wait longer for this day than any player before her. She has appeared in a Grand Slam tournament 52 times and has played 122 games in one of the four most important events in tennis. And now this: final of the French Open.

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