French Open 2021 highlights, women's singles final: Barbora Krejcikova wins maiden Grand Slam title

The Roland Garros 2021 Champion!

A bit of a musical break

Barbara Pravi will perform her song Voila from the Eurovision contest before the trophy presentation.

Barbora Krejcikova speaks after the match: I just want to thank everyone, there was so much support and energy. In these bad times, it’s so amazing to see everyone here. I’m super happy I was able to enjoy it in front of you!

I would like to thank all the Czech tennis players who came before me, I would like to thank my coaches, my family, everyone at home. It’s hard to talk to right now, I can’t believe what just happened. I just won a Grand Slam. 

I was going through a bad time when Jana (Novotna) was passing. Her last words were to just enjoy and try and win a Grand Slam. All of it in the last two weeks is because of her. She is an inspiration for me, I miss her

Set 3: By the numbers!

Barbora Krejcikova wins the Roland Garros women’s final 6-1, 2-6, 6-4!

Lovely first point from Krejcikova! She pushes her opponent out wide and then takes the point with a simple enough smash from just behind the net. She makes an error, and hits a shot into the net. 15-15. Krejcikova takes the next point with a belter of a forehand down the line. Pavlyuchenkova got to it but couldn’t direct it back to the other side. Krejcikova then gives herself two championship points with a forehand winner after making Pavlyuchenkova run for her life. Oh oh oh oh. Nerves from Krejcikova? She commits a double fault at such a crucial juncture. WAIT, KREJCIKOVA IS THE NEW ROLAND GARROS CHAMPION! What a tournament she’s had!

Barbora Krejcikova* 6-1, 2-6, 5-4 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (*denotes next server)

Really good return of serve from Barbora Krejcikova, straight down the middle and Pavlyuchenkova seemed a bit jammed up by it. Krejcikova’s next return isn’t great though, it flies long. Krejcikova then takes control of a long rally, before winning the point with a cannon of a forehand winner. OH MY WORD! Krejcikova just about catches the baseline with a backhand, that looked like it might be out! It had too much on it for Pavlyuchenkova to make the return. Two championship points for Krejcikova! Pavlyuchenkova takes one of those away with some good play. She then misses her first serve. Second serve is hit long by Krejcikova. That was a real chance for the Czech. Deuce.

Advantage Pavlyuchenkova. Krejcikova’s return was wild and it flew wide of the court. Krejcikova error, and now she’ll have to serve for the title, after squandering two championship points.

Barbora Krejcikova 6-1, 2-6, 5-3 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova* (*denotes next server)

Excellent service hold from Barbora Krejcikova under some serious serious pressure. She’s taken all the way to deuce by Pavlyuchenkova, who will now serve to stay in this final.

Barbora Krejcikova* 6-1, 2-6, 4-3 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (*denotes next server

First point goes to Krejcikova after Pavlyuchenkova hits into the net. Another point for the Czech, she’s up 0-30 after Pavlyuchenkova hits long. Oh great work from Krejcikova, backhand winner down the line! Her backhand looks like it’s back to its best. She has three break points in the deciding set. She wraps it up with a forehand winner, excellent stuff from Krejcikova!

Barbora Krejcikova 6-1, 2-6, 3-3 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova* (*denotes next server)

A service hold apiece, and we’re slowly inching towards the conclusion of this match. Both players look more fired up now than they have for a while.

Barbora Krejcikova 6-1, 2-6, 2-2 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova* (*denotes next server)

Krejcikova hits two relatively uncomplicated shots into the net, before Pavlyuchenkova unleashes a forehand winner to get herself three break points. A little bit of clever play from Krejcikova, who lobs the ball over Pavlyuchenkova. Great change of direction, Krejcikova hits a winner behind Pavlyuchenkova. Just one break point to recover. Can she do it? Nope. Krejcikoa is caght out by a lovely forehand winner from her opponent, she’s broken!

Barbora Krejcikova* 6-1, 2-6, 2-1 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (*denotes next server)

Oh yes, nice work Krejcikova! She hits an inside out backhand and nails the placement. 0-15. Error from Pavlyuchenkova, 0-30. Pavlyuchenkova gets riled up and unleashes a backhand winner. Clever shot from Krejcikova, she disguises a dropshot really well to catch out Pavlyuchenkova. Two break points. 15-40. Krejcikova breaks! She looked down and out for a bit, but she’s in control now

Barbora Krejcikova 6-1, 2-6, 1-1 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova* (*denotes next server)

Pavlyuchenkova gets the first point after Krejcikova hits long. Error from Pavlyuchenkova, 15-15. Krejcikova hits long again, she’s been really shakey with her shot placement. Great serve though, it’s won her a point! 30-30. Krejcikova uses her wide serve and makes it 40-30, before holding serve with a cross-court backhand winner.

Barbora Krejcikova* 6-1, 2-6, 0-1 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (*denotes next server)

Quite a long time out as Barbora Krejcikova goes off to take a toilet break and change her kit. Pavlyuchenkova seems mildly annoyed, but she can’t do much about it. Two unforced errors to start from Barbora Krejcikova. Will she be able to just write that second set off and reset herself? Pavlyuchenkova hits long, but then makes up for it with her first ace of the match. 40-15. Wild error from Krejcikova and Pavlyuchenkova holds serve.

Set 2: By the numbers!

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova takes the second set 6-2

Pavlyuchenkova’s called for an attendant, she seems to be struggling her a bit. She’s in discussion with the physio, and it seems like she has a groin issue that’s hampering her serving motion. There’s a mat out, she might be getting a bit of treatment now. Alright, we’re back. Krejcikova makes an error, but she makes up for it almost immediately with a lovely backhand down the line. An error apiece from either player, and it’s 30-30. Krejcikova attempts a drop shot, probably in a bid to test how fit Pavlyuchenkova is, but she messes up the execution completely. Set point Pavlyuchenkova. Pavlyuchenkova hits a wonderful backhand winner and she takes the set!

Barbora Krejcikova* 6-1, 2-5 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (*denotes next server)

Krejcikova is really struggling here, she doesn’t look anything like the player she was in the first set. She’s committing too many basic errors. Anyway, this is kind of a free game for Krejcikova, she should try to go all out in this. Oh, are there signs of nerves from Pavlyuchenkova? She’s taken to deuce and she relinquishes advantage with an unforced error. Error from Krejcikova now, deuce again. Krejcikova backhand winner, she has advantage! Oh lovely! Krejcikova breaks! She really needs to build on this.

Barbora Krejcikova 6-1, 1-5 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova* (*denotes next server)

It’s a difficult game for Krejcikova, but she looks like she might just hold serve, until she slips up and commits a double fault followed by a pretty terrible error to give her opponent the break. Her drop in form has been pretty considerable in this second set!

Barbora Krejcikova* 6-1, 1-4 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (*denotes next server)

Krejcikova hits a shot wide and then Pavlyuchenkova follows it up with a backhand cross court winner. Gorgeous drop shot from Krejcikova, 15-30. Krejikova hits a shot into the net, 40-15. Another error from Pavlyuchenkova. 40-30! Oh lovely backhand from Pavlyuchenkova. She holds serve!

Barbora Krejcikova 6-1, 1-3 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova* (*denotes next server)

Error apiece, 15-15. Pavlyuchenkova then appears to have a slight lapse in concentration,making a couple of mustakes and the hits wide to allow Krejcikova to hold serve.

Barbora Krejcikova* 6-1, 0-3 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (*denotes next server)

Back-to-back errors from Krejcikova, and Pavlyuchenkova is up 30-0. She’s building up a real head of steam here. Error apiece and then Krejcikov hits long to give Pavlyuchenkova a hold.

Barbora Krejcikova 6-1, 0-2 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova* (*denotes next server)

Oh wow Pavlyuchenkova has really raised her game! Two forehand winners, and then a gorgeous dropshots that lands right on the line. 0-40. Pavlyuchenkova hits a shot long, 15-40. Another error from Pavlyuchenkova after some good defense from Krejcikova. 30-40. One breakpoint left. Will it be enough? Yes it will! Pavlyuchenkova breaks with a backhand winner!

Barbora Krejcikova* 6-1, 0-1 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (*denotes next server)

this is really geat work from Krejcikova, she did so well to recover remarkably quickly from that first game break. She wins the first point of the first game of the second set thanks to an error from Pavlyuchenkova, and then Pavlyuchenkova pulls of a wonderful drop shot! 15-15. An error apiece, before Krejcikova gets a break point thanks to winner. Pavlyuchenkova then forces an error out of Krejcikova to make it deuce, before winning two points on the trot to hold serve. Huge this, for Pavlyuchenkova.

Set 1: By the numbers!

Set 1: By the numbers!

Barbora Krejcikova takes first set 6-1!

Hammer of a backhand winner from Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, she smashes that past Krejcikova. Double fault from Krejcikova, a bit of doubt setting in? Oh, that’s an ace on a second serve! Great work from Krejcikova. Pavlyuchenkova hits a sliced forehand long. Great serve, it’s set point! Pavlyuchenkova can’t make the return and Barbora Krejcikova takes the set 6-1, after winning six games in a row!

Barbora Krejcikova* 5-1 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (*denotes next server)

Pavlyuchenkova makes back-to-back-to-back errors, and in the blink of an eye Krejcikova has three break points! Pavlyuchenkova then tries a dropshot, which her opponent can’t reach in time to make a legitimate shot. Pavlyuchenkova hits wide and it’s another break for the Czech star. She will serve for the set!

Barbora Krejcikova 4-1 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova* (*denotes next server)

Great tennis from Krejcikova! She executes a lovely dropshot, and Pavlyuchenkova can’t get close. Mistake from Krejcikova now, 15-15. Pavlyuchenkova can’t return a food serve, and it’s 30-15. Krejcikova hits a volley wide. Oh lovely work from Krejcikova, she pushes her opponents from side to side, before taking the point with a forehand winner! She finishes it off with an ace to hold!

Barbora Krejcikova* 3-1 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (*denotes next server)

Pavlyuchenkova hits a forehand into the net. There’s a bit of a delay because of movement from the crowd. OH! Gorgeous shot from Pavlyuchenkova! She hits a gorgeous backhand down the line, it was inch-perfect and Krejcikova had no chance of getting there. She then tries an inside out forehand into the corner, but it’s a little too wide and it lands in the doubles alley. 15-30. Lovely play from Krejcikova, she draws her opponent to the net with a drop shot and then hits the resultant shot past Pavlyuchenkova. And Pavlyuchenkova replies immediately with a drop shot of her own. 30-40. Another point with a backhand winner and it’s deuce. Two erros, and Krejcikova breaks!

Barbora Krejcikova 2-1 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova* (*denotes next server)

This match is really hitting up! Two lovely forehand winners apiece and the game is at 15-15! Pavlyuchenkova can’t return serve, 30-15. Krejcikova hits a backhand winner that whizzes past Pavlyuchenkova! 40-15. Krejcikova hits a backhand into the net, 40-30. Pavlyuchenkova hits long and it’s the first service hold of this final!

Barbora Krejcikova* 1-1 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (*denotes next server)

Good start from Pavlyuchenkova, what can she make of it? Krejcikova takes the first point after approaching the net and hitting a big forehand winner. 15-15 now, Krejcikova makes an error on the backhand. Point apiece and then Krejcikova hits a strong forehand to get a breakpoint for herself. Ooh, Pavlyuchenkova tries a backhand slice, and she hits it clean as a whistle, it barely comes back off the ground and now it’s deuce. Error from Krejcikova, advantage to her opponent. Pavlyuchenkova hits a running forehand long of the baseline, we’re back on deuce. Great change of direction from Krejcikova, and she hits a forehand winner down the line. She has advantage and she breaks with a lovely speculative effort! She tries to lob it over Pavlyuchenkova and it just about hits the line. We’re back on serve.

Barbora Krejcikova 0-1 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova* (*denotes next server)

And we’re off! Krejcikova will get us underway with the serve, and the first point is a pretty lengthy rally, which Pavlyuchenkova brings to an with an inside out forehand winner. Krejcikova hits a backhand wide, and it’s 0-30. Double fault from Krejcikova, 0-40. Nervous start from the Czech, but she’s had a couple of bad starts already in the tournament which she has overcome. She wins a point with a firmly struck forehand winner. Pavlyuchenkova breaks!

Maiden Grand Slam title beckons for surprise finalists Pavlyuchenkova, Krejcikova

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Barbora Krejcikova, two of the most unlikely Grand Slam finalists of the modern era, meet in Saturday’s French Open title match at the conclusion of a shock-heavy tournament.

World number 32 Pavlyuchenkova has reached this stage for the first time at the 52nd attempt, 10 years after making a first Slam quarter-final in Paris.

Krejcikova, ranked one place lower, has long been labelled a doubles specialist and this is just her fifth appearance in a main draw singles at the Slams, having never previously got beyond the last 16.

However, both women have capitalised on a draw where the top seeds fell and just kept falling.

World number one and 2019 champion Ashleigh Barty hobbled out in the second round.

Serena Williams was knocked out in the fourth round, world number two Naomi Osaka withdrew after one match while 2018 champion Simona Halep never even made it to Paris.

Click  **here**  to read more of the preview of the match!

Who are you backing tonight?

- 🇷🇺 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova is into the final in her 52nd Grand Slam appearance.
- 🇨🇿 2018 doubles champion Barbora Krejcikova is into the final in just her fifth Grand Slam appearance.

Who wins it?#RolandGarros LIVE: https://t.co/sfszKjc6Rw

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) June 12, 2021

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova’s path to the final:

Barbora Krejcikova’s path to the final:

Hello and welcome to our coverage of the French Open women’s singles final!

It’s an exciting day because we are bound to have a new Grand Slam champions added to the annals of history, no matter what the outcome is, as first-time Grand Slam finalists Barbora Krejcikova and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova go up against each other! Stay tuned as we bring you all the latest updates and the live score!