French Open 2023 Live Updates: Sabalenka vs Muchova goes to third set, Swiatek vs Haddad Maia in women’s semifinals

Another nervous game for Muchova as Sabalenka makes it 30-all with an overhead smash. Sabalenka puts too much on the crosscourt backhand and Muchova has a game point at 40-30. And she closes it with a drop shot that clips the net on its way!

Sabalenka fires a wide serve into the deuce court but Muchova absolutely nails the forehand return down the line - 30-15. However, that does not affect Sabalenka much as she closes the game with ease and stays ahead.

And Muchova is in trouble! Sabalenka has three break points at 0-40. Muchova saves two of them with two great first serves. Forehand down the line from Muchova just catches the baseline and she saves the third break point too! Forehand pass from Sabalenka as Muchova rushes to the net. One more break point. Muchova saves it with a T ace. Wide serve into the deuce court, forehand sliced return from Sabalenka hits the net. Game point for Muchova. And Muchova closes it with another T ace. This is a big service hold.

Sabalenka serving first in the final set. Unbelievable defensive crosscourt lob from Muchova to keep the point going, Sabalenka tracks back and hits a backhand down the line but the Czech player is ready and finishes the point with a crosscourt forehand volley into the open court - 40-30. Sabalenka, however, closes the game after a heavy forehand return from Muchova.

Loose forehand crosscourt return from Sabalenka on a harmless serve from Muchova. Sabalenka forced to play extra shots but manages to put one past Muchova with a forehand down the line - 1-1. A backhand slice return from Muchova leads to Sabalenka netting the forehand - 1-2. And the mini-break advantage for Muchova is gone as she nets a backhand crosscourt - 2-2. And now Sabalenka has the mini-break with a glorious inside-out forehand winner from the baseline - 3-2. Wide serve from Sabalenka into the ad court, Muchova hits the backhand return long - 4-2. Change of ends. Sabalenka overcooks a routine crosscourt forehand and we are back on serve in this tiebreak - 4-3. But regains her advantage quickly as Muchova is unable to get her feet in right position and net a backhand down the line - 5-3. Tired-looking forehand return from Sabalenka keeps Muchova’s hopes alive - 5-4. Two serves for Sabalenka. Makes it 6-4 with a wide serve into the ad court which draws a heavy backhand return from Muchova. Set points for the World No. 2. And Sabalenka commits a double fault! One more set point but this time, on Muchova’s serve. Muchova tries to hang on in the rally but eventually gets cornered and nets a forehand. Sabalenka takes the second set 7-6(5)! We are headed to a deciding third set!

Sabalenka serving to stay in the match once again and is forced to win the opening point after a 13-shot rally courtesy Muchova’s defensive skills. Love hold for Sabalenka. Another tiebreaker!

Muchova wins the opening two points with a crosscourt backhand and a forehand winner down the line - 30-0. Comfortable hold for the World No. 43.

Sabalenka nets an easy forehand and Muchova leads 15-0. However, the World No. 2 wins four points on the trot including the last two with T aces.

Muchova up 40-0 in no time. The Czech player holds serve. Nerves of steel. Sabalenka to serve to stay in the set!

Wide return into the ad court from Sabalenka and Muchova just times the backhand return down the line perfectly - 15-all. A careless forehand shot from Sabalenka - 15-30. Muchova with a chance to break back as she forces Sabalenka to rush forward with a crosscourt forehand slice and Sabalenka nets the shot in response. Another wild forehand from Sabalenka and Muchova brings things back on serve.

Sabalenka is just not able to handle Muchova’s net-rushing game. Another beautiful crosscourt forehand volley winner from the Czech player as she goes 15-0 up. Backhand slice from Muchova lands just wide and Sabalenka goes up 30-15. Slight window of opportunity. Muchova shuts it down after being forced to hit multiple overhead smashes - 30-all. Sliding backhand lob from Muchova goes wide and here’s another chance for Sabalenka. Break point. Muchova saves it with a backhand volley despite some gritty work from the baseline by Sabalenka - deuce. Second break point for Sabalenka after Muchova overhits a forehand. And Sabalenka breaks again! Crosscourt backhand return to a wide serve into the ad court followed by a forehand winner in the deuce corner!

A quick service hold for Sabalenka. That should help keep her calm.

Muchova hits her fourth ace of the match to go 40-15 up. No let up from the Czech player so far. Body serve into the deuce court, Sabalenka hits the forehand return long. Muchova holds serve.

Stunning performance from Muchova continues as she comes from 0-40 down to take it to deuce on Sabalenka’s serve. Pressure on the Belarusian. Wide serve from Sabalenka into the deuce court, followed by a forehand in the same corner which draws a heavy forehand return from Muchova. Kick serve into the ad court from Sabalenka, Muchova sends the backhand return long. Sabalenka holds.

Sabalenka needs to break back immediately in order to keep her morale high. Begins with a drop shot winner. Muchova responds with a T ace. Crosscourt forehand winner from Sabalenka just catches the baseline. This time, Sabalenka moves back after noticing Muchova rushing in and hits a forehand with such height that Muchova’s volley in response goes wide. Two break points for Sabalenka. Muchova saves one but the Belarusian converts the second with a crosscourt forehand winner! Back on serve!

A crucial service game for Sabalenka. And she is in trouble down 15-30. Two break points for Muchova as Sabalenka hits a backhand long - 15-40. And Muchova does break as Sabalenka hits a forehand long this time!

Muchova to serve first in the second set. Love hold for the Czech player. She is in some form.

Wide serve from Sabalenka, Muchova with a crosscourt forehand return and the Belarusian hits the forehand down the line wide. Muchova wrongfoots Sabalenka and draws a tired-looking forehand return which lands well wide. Forehand return into the net from Sabalenka and Muchova leads 3-0. Sabalenka gets on the scoreboard in this tiebreak with a crosscourt backhand winner from the net. Wide serve into the deuce court from Sabalenka, Muchova’s forehand return lands just long - 3-2. Backhand volley winner from Muchova to go 4-2 up. The consistent effort to rush in and attack has been working for the Czech. Overhead smash from Sabalenka after Muchova’s attempt to lob her fails - 4-3. Inside-out forehand winner from Sabalenka to level the score at 4-4. Second serve from Sabalenka, Muchova hits the crosscourt forehand return just wide and trails for the first time in this tiebreaker. Not for long though as Sabalenka sends an inside-out forehand wide - 5-5. Sabalenka had set up the point beautifully but ended up sending the final forehand shot long. And Muchova takes the opening set with a gorgeous backhand winner down the line!!!! Sabalenka drops the first set in this French Open!

Muchova again tries to rush to the net to put pressure on Sabalenka but the Belarusian crushes a forehand pass from the baseline to go 15-0 up. Wide serve into the ad court followed by a backhand winner in the deuce court - Muchova makes it 15-all. Body serve from Muchova works as Sabalenka sends the backhand return wide. Excellent drop shot from Muchova after a furious baseline rally - 40-15. Sabalenka nets the simplest of the forehand volleys. Nerves. Muchova holds. Onto the tiebreaker!

No look backhand pass down the line from Sabalenka to close a rather wobbly despite losing just one point. From serving for the set, Muchova will now serve to stay in it.

Muchova to serve for the set. Backhand crosscourt volley winner from Muchova - 15-all. Short ball from Sabalenka, Muchova makes no mistake and hits a powerful backhand return down the line to go 30-15 up. Sabalenka makes it 30-all with a forehand down the line from inside the baseline. Wide serve into the deuce court from Muchova, Sabalenka hits the crosscourt forehand return with full force but still, the Czech player manages to get in position to hit the forehand winner down the line into the ad corner. Sabalenka saves a set point with a crosscourt forehand winner - deuce. Sabalenka pins Muchova to the ad corner and finishes the point with a forehand winner in the deuce corner. Break point for Sabalenka. And she brings things back on serve as Muchova overhits a backhand!

Sabalenka in some trouble as her attempted backhand pass goes wide and she is 15-30 down. Muchova’s effort to rush to the net and attack is working - another point won with a forehand volley. Two break points. And Muchova breaks with a forehand winner!

One forehand from Muchova sails past the baseline, another hits the top of the tape and goes wide - the Czech is down 0-30. Gorgeous backhand winner down the line from Muchova - 15-30. Wide serve into the ad court followed by a forehand winner in the deuce corner - Muchova makes it 30-all. Inside-out forehand winner of the highest quality from Muchova - 40-30. Crosscourt forehand return from Sabalenka is heavy and lands wide. Muchova holds. Still on serve in this opening set.

Double fault from Sabalenka - 15-all. Great backhand defensive lob from a sliding Muchova to keep the rally going and it works as Sabalenka hits the overhead crosscourt smash wide - 30-all. Wide serve into the deuce from the reigning Australian Open champion, the return from Muchova does not even reach the net. Muchova sets up the point well with a crosscourt backhand and rushes to the net but her backhand volley only finds the net. Sabalenka holds.

It remains a close contest. Muchova holds serve.

Sabalenka holds serve comfortably. Pressure right back on Muchova.

A T ace from Muchova takes her up 30-0. Inside-out forehand from Muchova goes wide - 30-15. Backhand return from Sabalenka lands long - 40-15. Slow second serve from the Czech player and Sabalenka responds with a forehand crosscourt return winner - 40-30. Wide serve into the ad court from Muchova, Sabalenka hits the backhand return right at her feet and draws a backhand error. Another strong serve into the deuce court followed by an attempted volley from Muchova but Sabalenka’s backhand return is so strong that the volley lands beyond the baseline. Muchova saves a break point with a T ace - deuce again. Second break point for the Belarusian as Muchova nets a forehand crosscourt. Three points on the trot and Muchova holds! Stunning defensive work from the Czech.

Muchova with some brilliant bit of defending but as she looks to hit a backhand slice, she gets beaten by the low bounce. Wide serve into the ad court from Sabalenka, Muchova hits the backhand return long - 30-0. Two unforced errors from the World No. 2 - one forehand and one backhand shot going long - 30-all. Once again, lot of sliced backhands from both players but it is Sabalenka who ends the rally with a drop shot - 40-30. Inside-out forehand sets up the point and Sabalenka finishes it with a forehand down the line.

Slow second serve from Muchova but Sabalenka hits the backhand return down the line slightly wide - 15-0. Muchova nets a forehand - 15-all. Big first serve, backhand return from Sabalenka goes long - 30-15. Great backhand slice from Muchova, Sabalenka’s forehand return goes flying off the court - 40-15. This time, Sabalenka replies to Muchova’s backhand slice with the same shot - 40-30. Unforced error on the backhand return from Sabalenka. Muchova holds.

Lucky start for Sabalenka - wide serve into the ad court followed by a forehand down the line but Muchova keeps the rally going with a lob, Sabalenka hits the overhead smash which hits the top of the tap and lands on Muchova’s side. First double fault of the match from Sabalenka - 15-all. Forehand return from Muchova lands beyond the baseline. The Sabalenka power on display early into this semifinal - a forehand winner down the line to go 40-15 up. Closes the game with a T ace.

Sabalenka to serve first in this semifinal.

Muchova wins the toss and elects to receieve.

Live visuals from Roland-Garros where Aryna Sabalenka and Karolina Muchova are ready to step on Court Philippe-Chatrier.

Sabalenka: 7 hours 2 minutes

Muchova: 9 hours 51 minutes

Sabalenka could become the new World No. 1 today itself if Swiatek loses in the second semifinal.

Sabalenka, with a win over Muchova, could become the first player since Sofia Kenin (2020) to reach the finals of the first two Majors of the season.

On the other hand, a win for Muchova would make her only the fifth Czech woman to reach the French Open final.

Sabalenka leads the H2H record 1-0. The only meeting between the duo took place four years ago in the semifinals in Zhuhai which the Belarusian won 7-5, 7-6(4).

In India, viewers will be able to watch the live telecast of the French Open on the Sony Sports Network and stream the matches live on the SonyLiv and JioTV app.

It is time for the business end of the tournament. Reigning Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka takes on unseeded Czech player Karolina Muchova in the first women’s singles semifinal followed by Iga Swiatek, the defending champion, against Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia in the second semifinal.

Live action begins from 6:30PM IST. Stay tuned as we build up to these two exciting encounters!