Barbora Krejcikova Wins French Open for First Major Singles Title
(June 12, 2021) Barbora Krejcikova, ranked outside the top 100 a year ago, is now a major champion. The 25-year-old Czech, playing in just her fifth major singles draw and third Roland Garros, beat 31st seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-1, 2-6, 6-4 on Saturday in Paris for the French Open title for her first major singles trophy.
This was also Pavlyuchenkova’s first major final and it came after playing 52 majors.
Krejcikova from the Czech Republic, has been a top doubles player, having won two women’s doubles majors.
Mentored and inspired by the late Jana Novotna, she dedicated her win to after the match, “I hope she’s happy right now.”
“I cannot believe what just happened. I cannot believe that I actually won a Grand Slam.” Krejcikova said. “All of this that just happened, these two weeks, is pretty much because she is just looking after me from up there.”
Jana is proud ❤️🇨🇿#RolandGarros | @BKrejcikova pic.twitter.com/kEYMIazl2m
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 12, 2021
Krejcikova becomes the 18th active major champion on the WTA Tour. She is just the second Czech champion in Paris after Hana Mandlikova in 1981. Martin Navratilova, who is of Czech descent, won the title as an American in 1982 and 1984.
Barbora Krejcikova’s Road to the #RG21 Title
1R: d. Kr.Pliskova, 57 64 62
2R: d. [32] Alexandrova, 62 63
3R: d. [5] Svitolina, 63 62
R16: d. Stephens, 62 60
QF: d. [24] Gauff, 76 63
SF: d. [17] Sakkari, 75 46 97 (1MP saved)
F: d. [31] Pavlyuchenkova, 61 26 64— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) June 12, 2021
She is now just four active women’s players to have won at least one singles, doubles, and mixed doubles major title in her career.
An unforgettable moment 🏆🇨🇿#RolandGarros | @BKrejcikova pic.twitter.com/KbZTLbiMfa
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 12, 2021
Ranked outside of the Top 100 a year ago, she will be ranked No. 15 when the new rankings come out on Monday. She is on a 12-match winning streak and is still in the hunt for the doubles title. Should she win the doubles, she would be the first person to win the singles and doubles since Mary Pierce did it in 2000.
Making it official 😘🏆@BKrejcikova | #RolandGarrospic.twitter.com/jrwecchMKW
— wta (@WTA) June 12, 2021
More to follow..
🇨🇿 Pride#RolandGarros |@BKrejcikova pic.twitter.com/EkQKgSJBqt
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 12, 2021
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