Roland Garros, Women's French Open 2026 - Grand Slam

[MargaretMcAleer]

This is a different Mirra we are seeing. I think she can challenge Sabalenka for the title. In the past, she would have laid an egg in this situation, being a heavy favorite deep in the tournament. Not today!

No not really Phil if you have been watching Mirra this week her composure has been the Key, she tends to lose focus she has the Complete Game if you have taken notice and she has won more tour matches than any other player
Passed Gauff as a 19 yo with the most wins in Paris
I get you dont watch the womens tour much, maybe you should starting watching more and players dont lay eggs btw not as long as I have been watching the tour for well over 40 years plus!

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

The next QF match will be Svitolina v Kostyuk

Both players are on the court and the roof is still closed. BTW Gael Monfils has arrived and is in Elina's box, he has been away on baby duties
Conditions are slow, both players prefer the quick conditions, interesting to see what the tactics will be from both players

Marta to serve first

Marta appears to be able to 'hit through these heavy conditions more at present Elina still trying to find her rhythm
Marta breaks and leads 2-0
Nice start from Marta leads 3-0, Elina still trying to find her rhythm, I feel Marta is handling the conditions better, still early
Better game from Elina as she spreads Marta wide you not going to beat Marta down the middle of the court
Elina gets on the board

 

[PhiEaglesfan712]

No not really Phil if you have been watching Mirra this week her composure has been the Key, she tends to lose focus she has the Complete Game if you have taken notice and she has won more tour matches than any other player
Passed Gauff as a 19 yo with the most wins in Paris
I get you dont watch the womens tour much, maybe you should starting watching more and players dont lay eggs btw not as long as I have been watching the tour for well over 40 years plus!

Don't confuse me for El Dude or Fiero. I've watched the women's tour since the Seles days. I've seen Mirra lose in this situation as a heavy favorite, to a player she probably shouldn't have (see 2024 French Open SF or 2025 Wimbledon QF).

I know Mirra has the complete game. I think I said that in 2023, when I saw her climb up the ELO boards, and decided to take a look for myself. It was a matter of whether she would put it all together.

Her focus is different this time around. I think she is for real, and could be holding the trophy on Saturday.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Don't confuse me for El Dude or Fiero. I've watched the women's tour since the Seles days. I've seen Mirra lose in this situation as a heavy favorite, to a player she probably shouldn't have (see 2024 French Open SF or 2025 Wimbledon QF).

I know Mirra has the complete game. I think I said that in 2023, when I saw her climb up the ELO boards, and decided to take a look for myself. It was a matter of whether she would put it all together.

Her focus is different this time around. I think she is for real, and could be holding the trophy on Saturday.

Excuse me your in your 30s correct I have children older than you for starters
I have played the game and also have done media work for websites so dont confuse me with someone that dosent know what they are talking about thank you very much
I am trying to watch a game and post. I am not interested in this conversation. Thank you!

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Okay back to watch this match

Marta leading 4-1 as I posted she has handled these conditions better, one thing I cannot stand with Marta is she is always asking her coach for help where to stand etc. I hate the fact of on court coaching!
Elina has found her game and has broken Marta and we are back on serve in the first set, she has been moving Marta side to side with results
We now have a game
BP for Marta as Elina fhand long
Great inside out fhand from Elina back to deuce
Great over head from Marta
Marta breaks as Elina going too muchs with the fhand needs Controlled Agression
Marta serving for the 1st set 5-3
What great hands from Elina played that volley from her shoe laces
Deuce
SP for Marta as Elina's fhand wide
What a lob from Elina back to deuce
Good drive volley from Marta
SP No 2
Passing fhand error from Elina
Marta wins the 1st set 63

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I understand Elina has been playing her game of being more aggressive when she took that break, before she was more of an defensive player, in saying that I feel at times she pushes her shots and she needs to play more controlled aggression
Elina gets on the board first in the 2nd set
Elina breaks she has been shortening the rallies and coming to the net taking time away from Marta and it is working
Elina leads 2-0
Elina turning things around in this 2nd set consolidates the break
Elina 3-0
Just an wonderful point from Elina covering all the corners of the court with the put away volley just great to watch
Elina 4-1 2nd set
Elina 5-2 she has turned around her tennis and the game and she is close to taking the 2nd set and making it 1 set all
I thought this match would go 3 and the player that can win/dictate on the big points would win this match
This match has had great shot making both players are forcing one another to come up with great shots
Elina with her 2nd SP
Elina what a come back from her and she wins the 2nd set 62
Going 3

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Elina is serving 1st in the 3rd set,
Great start from Marta jumps all over a 2nd serve from Elina and breaks,
Elina breaks straight back as Marts bhand went awol, Marta is rushing her shots, she needs to take time
Goodness me a lot of tension on court and Elina DFs we have had 3 breaks of serve already, Marta breaks again
Elina gets Marta coming to the net and stuffs up the volley and we have another break
5th break in this game, whoever can hold their service game might win
Marta is serving better, though Elina is better off the ground at present
Another break for Marta, No I am not making this up, a great cross court bhand winner
You can cut the knife with the tension in this match
Marta leading 3-2
Marta's 1st serve is the difference as Elina's first serve % has dropped
Marta holds e, yes someone has finally held serve, she did it to love
Marta leads 4-2
Marta is finding her groove and has up her level
Marta with 2 BPs and she gets the double break and she will serve for a place in the SF at 5-2
Marta with 3 SP
Marta reaches her first GS SF still undefeated on clay, 36 26 62

I know AP and Don Fabio wanted Elina to win, she just could not sustain the level she showed in the 2nd set

 

[the AntiPusher]

Elina is serving 1st in the 3rd set,
Great start from Marta jumps all over a 2nd serve from Elina and breaks,
Elina breaks straight back as Marts bhand went awol, Marta is rushing her shots, she needs to take time
Goodness me a lot of tension on court and Elina DFs we have had 3 breaks of serve already, Marta breaks again
Elina gets Marta coming to the net and stuffs up the volley and we have another break
5th break in this game, whoever can hold their service game might win
Marta is serving better, though Elina is better off the ground at present
Another break for Marta, No I am not making this up, a great cross court bhand winner
You can cut the knife with the tension in this match
Marta leading 3-2
Marta's 1st serve is the difference as Elina's first serve % has dropped
Marta holds e, yes someone has finally held serve, she did it to love
Marta leads 4-2
Marta is finding her groove and has up her level
Marta with 2 BPs and she gets the double break and she will serve for a place in the SF at 5-2

Elina will be crushed that she didn’t win the battle vs her country woman.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Elina will be crushed that she didn’t win the battle vs her country woman.

Well she had all the momentum from the 2nd set and sad to say she could not sustain it in the final set
I am not going to listen to Miss Marta Ukraine on court as I am over her preaches etc on the war,

 

[the AntiPusher]

Ui

Well she had all the momentum from the 2nd set and sad to say she could not sustain it in the final set
I am not going to listen to Miss Marta Ukraine on court as I am over her preaches etc on the war,

We all are tired of Miss Marta Ukraine... I tried to like her last year but the way she did Mirra in the final.. I'm done with this broad..

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I will post the next QFs matches a bit later, still having trouble with my computer after taking it in for a service, maybe I will have to use Hubby's computer .

 

[the AntiPusher]

I will post the next QFs matches a bit later, still having trouble with my computer after taking it in for a service, maybe I will have to use Hubby's computer .

Becareful your hubby may be follower of Sascha' IG account.. jajajaja would not want to break up a happy home over ZED.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Becareful your hubby may be follower of Sascha' IG account.. jajajaja would not want to break up a happy home over ZED.

My hubby is still trapped in Pete Sampras days, sad to say he cant seem to find a way to join us in the the current tour, I think he maybe Pete's No 1 fan, seen him live at Wimbledon and USO

 

[the AntiPusher]

My hubby is still trapped in Pete Sampras days, sad to say he cant seem to find a way to join us in the the current tour, I think he maybe Pete's No 1 fan, seen him live at Wimbledon and USO

Pete was my dawg too but Rafa was definitely “The Prince that was Promised “

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

QF matches,
Wednesday 3rd June,
Top Half of the Draw,

Kalinskaya (22) vs Q Chwalinska......................First Meeting,

I must admit I havent seen much of the Q Polish, Maja matches. I have now taken the time to watch highlights of her last match, its easy to see why she has been having success on the clay, hits with a good amount of spin and has good variety, I feel she can take Kalinskaya out of rhythm

Kalinskaya likes to play first stike tennis and is a solid flat striker of the ball.I liked her fight back in her R16 match against Potapova, usually she gets down on herself if she is behind, not this time

I feel we could see an upset in this match up.

Sabalenka (1) vs Shnaider (25)...........................First Meeting

What a statement Sabalenka's win over Osaka was !, the level she played was very high, It would be a major shock if she didnt make the final with this draw, likely dosent drop a set. Good run from Shnaider though.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

The first QF
Kalinskaya v Q Chwalnska

Both players have just arrived on court. Roof is opened, cloudy and windy

Maja won the toss and will serve first

Ana gets the 1st break, Maja is a lefty and has great height over the net, Ana good returning and anticipating the shots gets the break
Maja using her slice, and her all court game lovely drop shot and has a BP
Maja breaks back immediately as Ana fhand wide
Players will have to adjust to this wind, on Chatrier swirls around
A love service game from Maja
Maja leads 2-1
Ana with a DF and Maja has a BP, Ana needs to take some pace off her first serve,
A lovely disguised drop shot from Maja and she breaks again, she has a high heavy bhand and is using her variety to break Ana's rhythm
Maja is isnt missing at present she hasnt missed a bhand so far in this match, early of course, she is Feeling It and showing no nerves at all
Maja 4-1
Maja gets another break with a great cross court fhand winner
Maja will serve for the 1st set a 5-1
Still down 1 break Ana played a good match and broke Maja serving for the 1st set
Ana to serve 5-2
Maja will now have a 2nd chance to serve for the 1st set 5-3
Wonderful construction of a point for Maja ends with a offensive lob
Ana finding her power with controlled aggression, her best game and breaks Maja
Back on serve 5-4 with Ana to serve
4 games in a row from Ana
5 games all
Ana will now serve to force a TB for the 1st set at 5-6
6 games all
TB for the 1st set
Maja to serve first
What a rally 24 shots Maja wins with a bhand winner
Maja leading 6-3 in the TB
Maja wins the 1st set 76(3)

Ana taking a bathroom break

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Ana to serve first in the 2nd set, still windy conditions on Chatrier
Maja gets an early break in set No 2 she continues her game plan, mixing it up, using slices and high balls really disrupting Ana's game
Maja consolidates the break and leads 3-1
Wow a fhand down the line winner from Maja and she gets the double break, Ana just looks confused at the back of the court
Maja 4-1
Ana gets one of the breaks back, shades of the 1st set, found her range better in that service game
That break from Ana didnt last long, broken by Maja
I did say I thought Maja could upset Ana from watching some highlights of her previous matches the young Q ranked #114 has not gone away from her game plan and plays a great all court clay game
Maja is serving for a place in the SFs 5-2
Cool and Calm with a fhand winner from Maja
Have to wait a little longer broken by Ana and she gets one of the breaks back again shades of the 1st set
Ana serving at 3-5https://www.tennisfrontier.com/thre...ench-open-2026-grand-slam.8180/page-14#footer

Maja with a MP

Maja and her fairy tale continues she defeat Ana 76(3) 63 into her first SF
Reminds me of Lois Boisson last year as a Q and went to the SF of RG

Maja will debut at Top 30 in the live rankings, she entered as a Q 114 #

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Aryna and Diana on court
Aryna won the toss and will serve
May I say very disappointing crowd for Ladies QFs
Aryna will be playing a lefty in Diana, also both players will have to adjust to the windy swirling conditions on Chatrier
Sometimes I feel Aryna makes things too difficult for herself, she dosent need to play the perfect shot, she builds undue pressure on herself, she can play well within herself and still win, she has the weapons, Diana absorbs pace well and moves well on the court, her coach Sasha Bajin, a former long time hitting partner of Serena Williams, then decided to coach, he also coached Osaka and Pliskova.
If you dont keep the depth of your shot Aryna will punish you, power bhand winner and she breaks Diana

From 15-40 down Aryna played well and consolidates her break and leads 4-1
Aryna with 2 BPs these windy conditions players have to adjust take some pace off your shot and watch your margins
Aryana breaks with a great volley with great touch, an area Aryna has improved out of sight, hiring Max Mirnyi a former top male doubles specialist has helped her in this area
Aryna serving for the 1st set 5-1 the wind has picked up considerably players wiping dust out of their eyes.
Geez Aryna with a Djoko Smash
Aryna having night mares trying to serve out the 1st set and Diana breaks after a couple of BPs
Diana will serve 2-5
This match is scrappy due to the conditions, players have to start playing Percentage Tennis for starters.
Aryna will serve for the 2nd time to try to close out the 1st set 5-3
Aryna finally with a SP and she takes the 1st set 63, she did save a BP against her.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Diana to serve first in the 2nd set, more fans are coming in now usually French people like to have lunch and then come to the tennis around 3pm, all tickets have been sold out.
Aryna gets the early break, lets see if she can convert and not get upset with the wind putting too much stress, also the different yells she is making I know she is under stress, but it is all induced stress she places on herself.
A measured bhand down the line from Aryna and she converts the break
Aryna 2-0
Aryna with 3 BPs and she breaks to love
Aryna with a double break and leads 4-1
Aryna playing well and then some ufe crept in and a DF and she is broken?
Diana will serve at 2-4
Diana still hanging in this 2nd set and she holds serve
Aryna 4-3
Diana playing percentage well and now has 3 BPs
Aryna complaining about the wind,, well Aryna your not the only player on court, Diana is also having to play in windy conditions
Aryna saves 3 BPs and has decided to stop whinging and play tennis
Aryna 5-3
Good hold from Diana
Aryna will now serve for the match at 5-4 and a place in the SF, Aryna isnt sliding well on the clay today, maybe it is the conditions, but foot work on clay is most important
Aryna trying to rush points and now has a BP against her and Diana breaks
Diana to serve at 5 all, Aryna has become her Own Worst Enemy
Wow what a fhand down the line as Diana was out of the court and great racket work as well
Things have changed here in the last 10 mins and Diana holds serve and Aryna will serve at 5-6 to force a TB for the 2nd set, Aryna at one time was leading 4-1
Aryna and her emotions have been her undoing in the past, she has keep them in check

 

[britbox]

Just tuning in...