Power. Poise. Persistence. 🇷🇺 @NastiaPav is through to her first career Grand Slam final, defeating Zidansek 7-5, 6-3! 🎥: @rolandgarros
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova became the first player to reach a maiden Grand Slam final after playing more than 50 main draws during her career after ousting Tamara Zidansek in straight sets at Roland Garros.
The Russian held off Zidansek 7-5, 6-3 and will now face Barbora Krejcikova who following Pavlyuchenkova saw off Maria Sakkari.
She discussed finally making it to the summit as well as the continuing thoughts of winning a Grand Slam throughout her career as she heads potentially towards her first.
"I had my own long special road," Pavlyuchenkova said in her post-match press conference. "Everybody has different ways. I don't know, I'm just happy I'm in the final. Trying to enjoy."
"I think about [winning a Grand Slam tournament] all the time. Been thinking about it since I was a junior, since I was a little kid, since I started playing tennis. That's what you're playing for. That's what you want. It's been there in my head forever."
"I would love to go further and to get more," the Russian added. "I'm happy, but I'm still focused and I feel like I can do better maybe. That's what I want at least. Definitely trying to soak this in and enjoy as much as possible this very special moment for me."
Power. Poise. Persistence. 🇷🇺 @NastiaPav is through to her first career Grand Slam final, defeating Zidansek 7-5, 6-3! 🎥: @rolandgarros