French Open 2023 Day 12 Order of Play: Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka favourites in semi-finals

After some jaw-dropping matches in the quarters, the French Open 2023 is set to witness the women’s singles semi-finals on Thursday, June 8 to be played at the Court Philippe Chatrier.

Karoline Muchova of Czech Republic will be up against Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka in the first semi-final of the day. It goes without saying that Sabalenka, who will go into the match as firm favourites. The Belarusian star will also look to keep alive her hopes of becoming the World No.1 in the WTA rankings.

Sabalenka will go into the match after beating Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina in the quarterfinal. Muchova, on the other hand, is set to play her second Grand Slam semis after the Australian Open in 2021. The 26-year-old defeated Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 7-5, 6-2 in the quarters on Thursday.

In the other match, World No.1 Iga Swiatek will lock horns with Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia in the semis after the completion of the match between Muchova and Sabalenka.

Swiatek, on Wednesday, took a 7-0 lead over USA’s Coco Gauff on the WTA circuit. The 22-year-old was challenged in the opening set, but she won the match 6-4, 6-2. The Polish star is looking to defend his World No.1 ranking.

Haddad Maia, on the other hand, will be high on confidence after beating World No.7 Ons Jabeur in the semis. She became the first Brazilian woman in the Open Era to advance to the Roland Garros semis. Haddad Maia lost the opening set, but went on to win the match 3-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-1.