Barbora Krejcikova doubles up with Katerina Siniakova to win second French Open title in as many days

The French Open’s surprise singles champion, Barbora Krejcikova, has handled every aspect of this tournament with aplomb. Even her life-changing victory over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova on Saturday failed to break her emotional equanimity.

How do we know? Because Krejcikova was back on the court on Sunday morning with her Czech compatriot Katerina Siniakova, this time playing the doubles final.

Their opponents happened to include last year’s surprise singles champion, 20-year-old Iga Swiatek, playing alongside the experienced American doubles specialist Bethanie Mattek-Sands. But the match was not even close.

The Czech pairing made a sensational start, claiming the first four games, and although there was a reaction, as there was always likely to be, they still held their nerve to claim a 6-4, 6-2 victory.

“It was really difficult,” said a relieved Krejcikova, even though an outsider would never have known it. “Like yesterday, so many emotions. I didn’t really sleep well. I woke up in the morning and I feel really tired. I can actually say that out loud right now. I’m having some pains in my leg,” she added.

“I’m really happy that it went this way. I actually went really relaxed today when I went on court. I’m like, ‘Let’s fight for every single ball. In the end there’s going to be a result’.”

It is extremely unusual to win both titles at the same slam. On the men’s side, nobody even attempts to double up, because of the extra physical demands of best-of-five-set tennis (despite the fact that Wimbledon is the only major where the men’s doubles has not been cut back to a shorter format).

At the French Open, you have to go back to 2000, the summer of the all-conquering Mary Pierce, for the last example of a single player lifting two trophies here.

Krejcikova beats Pavlyuchenkova to win first major singles title

By Simon Briggs

The ultimate Cinderella story reached its climax at Roland Garros, where Barbora Krejcikova – a player who only cracked the world’s top 100 in September – came through a searching three-setter to lift the French Open title.

This is not some fast-rising young starlet in the manner of Coco Gauff. Instead, Krejcikova is 25, and had been toiling away on the circuit with little reward – in singles anyway – for the past seven years. Perhaps her story will turn out to have a biblical dimension, with seven years of feast to follow the famine.

Like Aslan Karatsev – the unknown Russian who reached the semi-finals of January’s Australian Open – Krejcikova used the pandemic as an opportunity to reboot her whole approach to the sport. She has always been vastly more successful at doubles, even as a junior, when she won three of the four major titles with her Czech compatriot and long-term partner Katerina Siniakova.

They have had enormous success on the senior circuit too, rising to become the world’s highest-ranked pairing in 2018. Yet Krejcikova simply could not crack the singles game. As she prepared for last year’s autumnal French Open, having won only two matches at tour level all year, she decided to downgrade her expectations.

“Coming to the tournament I tried to change my mind,” she explained during a press conference last week. “Maybe I will never make it. Maybe I’m just going to be just a doubles player. I kind of realised I was OK with that.”

Mentality is everything in this sport. The lower tiers of tennis are full of players who can strike the ball sweetly on the practice court, only to collapse under the pressure of competition. So it was that, after Krejcikova’s epiphany, her shoulder relaxed and the racket felt several ounces lighter in her hand. Indeed, her mental game has switched from being a weakness to arguably her strongest suit.

In Thursday’s semi-final, she saved a match point against Maria Sakkari by stepping forward and taking the ball out of the air with a courageous drive volley. She saw an early lead evaporate as Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova fought back to claim the second set, but still regrouped brilliantly to seal a 6-1, 2-6, 6-4 victory in 1hr 58min. Krejcikova went through different phases in this tense final.

Quiet and undemonstrative on the court, she can also become passive in her shot selection – which was what happened as a cornered Pavlyuchenkova lifted her game in the second set. But when a match is moving into the home straight, Krejcikova understands the need to step up.

She hit no fewer than 14 winners in the deciding set, stroking the ball up the lines with her long and languid swings, just as she had struck 17 at the same stage against an outgunned Sakkari. After the match, there was a peculiarly extended presentation ceremony on Court Philippe Chatrier, including a song from a very French chanteuse and a lengthy chat with Marion Bartoli and Martina Navratilova.

You felt for Pavlyuchenkova, who had to stand there and listen to the whole thing when she probably wanted to curl up in a dark corner. At 29, the Russian was also playing her first major final, and is likely to regret her nervous and error-prone play during the first set. Given all the players who missed out here for various reasons – including Simona Halep (calf), Ashleigh Barty (hip) and Naomi Osaka (mental health) – one suspects that this may have been a one-off opportunity for Pavlyuchenkova, and perhaps even for Krejcikova too.

As the Eurosport pundit Chris Evert acknowledged, “It was a random final.” Krejcikova used her moment on the microphone beautifully, especially while discussing her much-missed coach Jana Novotna, who died of cancer in 2017. “I was going through a hard time when Jana was passing away. I was most of the time with her and I wanted to experience this because I thought it’s just going to make me strong.

“Pretty much her last words were ‘Just enjoy, and just try to win a grand slam.’ I know that all of this has happened because she is looking after me from up there. I just really miss her.” Krejcikova will not have been able to celebrate with too much gusto, as she and Siniakova are due to play the doubles final this morning.

Should she add a second trophy to her haul, she will emulate what an all-conquering Mary Pierce did in the summer of 2000.

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03:41 PM

Any takers?

Krejcikova 🇨🇿 33/1 to win Wimbledon.

She has never played in the singles main draw

— The Tennis Talker (@TheTennisTalker) June 12, 2021

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03:30 PM

Crowning moment

Pavlyuchenkova steps up to receive her runners-up plate before Krejcikova embraces Navratilova before getting her hands on the Suzanne-Lenglen cup. She's been here before - with a partner in crime in the doubles - but never in a major singles final. The Czech national anthem plays out and Krejcikova looks calm and composed as she watches the flag climb the pole.

Krejcikova, remember, will be back here tomorrow in the women's doubles final as she looks to become the first woman to win a double of titles since Mary Pierce back in 2000.

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03:24 PM

Presentation time

Apt that Martina Navratilova will be on hand to dish out the silverware today.

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03:21 PM

Krejcikova wins first grand slam singles title

The Czech becomes the third unseeded woman to win Roland Garros, following in the footsteps of last year's champion Iga Swiatek and Jelena Ostapenko in 2017. She composures herself before she tries to put into words what she has just achieved and remembers her former coach Jana Novotna.

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03:10 PM

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

Krejcikova stuck in the mud on the baseline seemingly as she can't get her feet moving and missing one reply. But she's nerveless during the next rally, on the front foot and pushing a forehand deep to the baseline for 30-15. Another cracking whipped forehand sets up another two championship points - this time on her own serve. She misses a first serve. And then another to send down a double. Another first serve goes begging but she finally gets over the line when Pavlyuchenkova sends a return long. GAME, SET AND MATCH: KREJCIKOVA BEATS PAVLYUCHENKOVA 6-1, 2-6, 6-4

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03:05 PM

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

A calm and controlled drop shot gets Krejcikova on her way this game before powering a forehand winner down the line for 15-30. She sets up two championship points with a backhand winner cross court. Despite managing a great service return at full stretch, Pavlyuchenkova draws an error from her rival mid-rally. And Krejcikova lets rip on a slower second serve during the next point, but sends a return long. Great response from Pavlyuchenkova, winning four points in a row. She's making her rival serve it out.

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03:00 PM

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

Krejcikova fully focused now, striking with depth and keeping Pavlyuchenkova pinned behind the baseline. But she still has moments of relapses, throwing in an unforced error at 40-30 up but is able to call on a couple of first serves to steer her over the line.

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02:55 PM

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

Ooh er, anxious moments on Pavlyuchenkova's serve at 0-30. Wait, make that three break points as Krejcikova raises her level again. The Russian misses a first serve, but can't do anything about the fantastic forehand winner that Krejcikova whips into the corner. Advantage Krejcikova this set. KREJCIKOVA BREAKS.

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02:52 PM

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

Better serving from Krejcikova again, not allowing Pavlyuchenkova to step in and wallop home a service return or two. She holds to love.

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02:49 PM

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

The competitive juices are flowing from every vein of Krejcikova now as she chunters complaints towards her corner with each failed point. This is the same woman who suggested she'd be happy with whatever outcome today as she would at least get a trophy. But now the aggressor is coming to the fore and both women aren't willing to give an inch. Pavlyuchenkova steers a tricky game to game point at 40-30 before shielding a ball out of play. The level is back on the up again.

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02:46 PM

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

Pavlyuchenkova all over Krejcikova's second serve during another nervy service game for the Czech. In a flash this contest takes another twist as the Russian surges to three break points. Krejcikova saves the first by drawing her rival in and then sending her scrambling back to the baseline. The Czech does fantastically well to, er, check her run during the next rally and retrieve a ball from behind her to send a winner flashing past the off-balance Pavlyuchenkova. But she can't save a third as the Russian slaps a brutal forehand winner cross court to earn the break back. PAVLYUCHENKOVA BREAKS.

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02:41 PM

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

Anxious moments now for Pavlyuchenkova staring at a mini-break down at 0-30. She responds well with a punched forehand winner, but Krejcikova earns herself two break points with a dinked drop shot. That's clever play. And oh dear. Pavlyuchenkova sends down a double at the worst time. KREJCIKOVA BREAKS.

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02:38 PM

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

Krejcikova trying to work Pavlyuchenkova hard and push that thigh injury to the limits. Both women starting to look nervy again out there. The Czech takes the game to 30 to get on the board in the decider.

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02:35 PM

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

A lengthy hold up to the start of this deciding set as Krejcikova left court for a seeming comfort break or just of clothes. Pavlyuchenkova is pretty miffed out there as she stands around her chair, not wanting to sit too long and for her muscles to tighten.

Krejcikova finally emerges, yanks a headphone from one ear and takes her place on court and the action gets under way again. The hold up hasn't affected Pavlyuchenkova's concentration. She chips away, edging to game point at 40-15 before watching a forehand return fly long from her rival.

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02:25 PM

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

Heavy strapping to Pavlyuchenkova's left thigh as she returns to receive. Krejcikova is trying to make the most of her rival's restricted movement while she waits for the pain-killers to kick in. Krejcikova throws in a drop shot, which she dumps into the net. Right idea, but just poorly executed and it hands the Russian set point. She makes it with a forehand deep to the corner. PAVLYUCHENKOVA WINS SECOND SET

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02:14 PM

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

Nervy moments now from Pavlyuchenkova trying to close out this set. She
claws Krejcikova back from 0-30 down to level before setting up a first set point. Krejcikova presses and keeps Pavlyuchenkova on the backfoot for deuce and then digs deep to bring up break point. She steps in court to retrieve a short ball and whips a forehand into the corner. KREJCIKOVA BREAKS.

Pavlyuchenkova heads to her bench, calls for the trainer and will now take a medical timeout. A reply shows that Pavlyuchenkova appeared to hurt herself while changing direction during that last game. She has treatment to her left thigh while munching on some Haribo sweets. Yes, you read that right!

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02:10 PM

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

Krejcikova scrambles her way out of a 0-30 hole by stepping into a short service reply and striking a backhand cross court winner. But she's all at sixes and sevens during the next rally, looping a backhand long to hand Pavlyuchenkova two break points. The Russian attacks a first serve, but adrenaline takes over and it's wild. She tries to attack the next second serve, but again, it's too deep and Krejcikova reels her rival in at deuce.

Krejcikova is struggling to close it out here, misses her advantage moment, and then sends down a double to allow her rival to break again. PAVLYUCHENKOVA BREAKS

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02:03 PM

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

Quality of the tennis has upped a level this set, with only three unforced errors a piece from both women so far. Krejcikova jumps on a slower second serve to punch a winner to hang around in one game at 40-30, but Pavlyuchenkova maintains her composure to close out the game.

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02:00 PM

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

Krejcikova replies with a comfortable love hold to get on the board this set. She's slowly regaining her rhythm after being rocked by the turnaround of Pavlyuchenkova

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01:56 PM

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

Great resolve from Pavlyuchenkova, she's unsettling Krejcikova's rhythm and holds again to 15.

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01:53 PM

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

Pavlyuchenkova turning the screw here as she rushes to three break points with some good variety to give Krejcikova plenty to think about. Krejcikova stays strong on the defence in the next point, drawing the next error from her rival, but the Russian lets rip with a backhand winner down the line to give herself breathing space this set. It draws the first fist-pump from her too. PAVLYUCHENKOVA BREAKS

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01:49 PM

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

Lovely play from Pavlyuchenkova as a well-executed drop shot loaded with topspin lands favourably and the Russian can unleash a smile for the first time this final. But Krejcikova won't let up, bringing her rival forward, back, side-to-side and upsetting Pavlyuchenkova's own game plan. Great play from both women now as they engage in a lengthy rally before Krejcikova sends one backhand too long for 30-all. But the Czech is all over a slower second serve with a return that flashes past Pavlyuchenkova's unstretched racket. It's a great response to save break point, pinning Krejcikova to the backhand corner and finding space to volley a winner home. And she digs deep, serves well to finally hold for the first time.

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01:42 PM

Krejcikova 6-1 Pavlyuchenkova* (*denotes next server)

Pavlyuchenkova gives a second serve short shrift to try and gee herself up and get some sort of consistency to her game. Another double from the Czech hands Pavlyuchenkova a 0-30 lead, but a second serve ace brings out the puff of the cheeks from Krejcikova. Pavlyuchenkova just over-eggs one forehand, and in an instant the game is turned around as Krejcikova brings up set point. She wraps it up when Pavlyuchenkova can't contain a first serve. KREJCIKOVA WINS OPENING SET AFTER JUST 30 MINUTES.

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01:38 PM

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

A smattering of sympathetic applause rings round Chatrier as Pavlyuchenkova strikes a regulation forehand into the middle. She's confident in the next rally, advances to the net only to send a smash into the net. She's staring at three break points and this set is fast running away from her. Krejcikova misses at the first opportunity, but then draws another error from her rival. KREJCIKOVA BREAKS AGAIN

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01:34 PM

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

Superb striking now from Krejcikova as she dictates play from the baseline and is working Pavlyuchenkova from side-to-side. She brings up a game point, and has no trouble extending her lead this set to three games with an ace down the T.

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01:31 PM

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

Danger here at 15-30 for Pavlyuchenkova. Krejcikova seizes her chance throwing down a drop shot which the Russian does great to scamper down to, but Krejcikova is lurking at the net to dispatch the volley. Gutsy play from Pavlyuchenkova now as a backhand lands flush on the tramline to reel Krejcikova back to deuce. But at the third time of asking, Krejcikova finally makes the next breakthrough as Pavlyuchenkova drills a backhand wide. KREJCIKOVA BREAKS

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01:24 PM

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

Great movement round the court from Pavlyuchenkova to work the angles and strike the killer blow. But Krejcikova is starting to settle now, advances to 40-15 by passing the net-rushing Russian. She can't wrap up the game at the first attempt, plopping a backhand into the middle but gets it done during the next point with a deep backhand down the line.

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01:20 PM

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

Pavlyuchenkova has a chunky white plaster stuck to her left knee as she sends down her opening service game. The Russian has settled slightly faster but finds herself a break point down at 30-40. A lengthy rally ensues, exchanges of backhands and slices before a low sliced backhand catches Krejcikova out for deuce.

Krejcikova brings up another break with a forehand winner and then produces an audacious lobbed winner which Pavlyuchenkova gives up the chase, anticipating it will land wrong - incorrectly. KREJCIKOVA BREAKS STRAIGHT BACK

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01:14 PM

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

Krejcikova opens service proceedings but it's a nervy start as she slips to three break points down in a flash, including sending down a first double early doors. She can't get a first serve in at the moment. The Czech gets a first point on the board with a forehand that throws her rival off balance on the baseline. But another double, her second of the opening game hands Pavlyuchenkova the game. PAVLYUCHENKOVA BREAKS

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01:05 PM

Here come the players

Krejcikova strides out on to Court Philippe-Chatrier before Pavlyuchenkova steps into the arena, with another 5,000 fans in attendance in the bright sunshine in Paris. They meet at the net for the customary coin toss which Pavlyuchenkova wins and elects to receive. The warm-up is underway.

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12:54 PM

A new champion for the sixth time in a row

Whether it is Krejcikova or Pavlyuchenkova whose name is engraved on the Suzanne-Lenglen Cup this afternoon, the victor will become the SIXTH successive different winner of the women’s singles in Paris.

Swiatek (2020), Ash Barty (2019), Simona Halep (2018), Jelena Ostepenko (2017), Garbine Muguruza (2016) the rundown of the last first-time winners. The last two finals have been largely one-sided affairs and won in straight sets. Will today's final between two evenly-matched and ranked opponents go the distance?

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12:35 PM

Bidding for the double

It’s a busy weekend of finals action for Krejcikova, who will partner compatriot Katerina Siniakova in the women’s doubles showpiece tomorrow.

The pair clinched the Roland Garros title in 2018, which came five years after the duo won the girls’ doubles five years previously in Paris - as well as the titles at Wimbledon and the US Open!

In tomorrow’s final, the impressive pairing who are both close friends take on America’s Bethanie Mattek-Sands and last year’s singles champion Iga Swiatek, who are playing just their third event as a pair.

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12:16 PM

Route to the final

It has not been a case of luck of the draw for either of today’s surprise finalists with both women knocking out some big-names and big-occasion players.

Barbora Krejcikova, in only her third main draw appearance at Roland Garros, has seen off sixth seed Elina Svitolina, 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens and the superbly talented Coco Gauff along the way. She also recovered from match-point down in the semi-final against Maria Sakkari to win through 9-7 in the decider after three hours and 18 minutes.

Krejcikova’s progress

1r: d. K. PLISKOVA (#89 ranking) 5-7 6-4 6-2 (2h 10m)

2r: d. E. ALEXANDROVA (#34) 6-2 6-3 (1h 9m)

3r: d. E. SVITOLINA (#6) 6-3 6-2 (1h 39m)

4r: d. S. STEPHENS (#59) 6-2 6-0 (1h 10m)

QF: d. C. GAUFF (#25) 7-6 6-3 (2h 14m)

SF: d. M. SAKKARI (#18) 7-5 4-6 9-7 (3h 18m)

Total time on court: 11h 40m

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, meanwhile, has seen off fourth-seed Aryna Sabalenka, two-time grand slam champion Victoria Azarenka and outlasted her doubles opponent Elena Rybakina 9-7 in the third to reach the semis. Despite playing one more set than today’s rival, the Russian has spent 50 minutes less time on court this fortnight.

Pavlyuchenkova’s route

1r: d. C. MCHALE (#95) 6-4 6-0 (1h 20m)

2r: d. A. TOMLJANOVIC (#76) 6-2 6-3 (1h 30m)

3r: d. A. SABALENKA (#4) 6-4 2-6 6-0 (1h 41m)

4r: d. V. AZARENKA (#16) 5-7 6-3 6-2 (2h 11m)

QF: d. E. RYBAKINA (#22) 6-7 6-2 9-7 (2h 33m)

SF: d. T. ZIDANSEK (#85) 7-5 6-3 (1h 35m)

Total time on court: 10h 50m

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11:57 AM

Final preview

By Simon Briggs

Today’s trophy match pits Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova against Barbora Krejcikova. Which raises at least two questions. First: which of these names represents the bigger surprise? Second: is this the freakiest final in grand-slam history?

The respective answers are “Krejcikova” and “yes”. At 29, Pavlyuchenkova clearly owns the greater pedigree, having been a junior world No 1 and reached six previous major quarter-finals.

Even so, when a player has played 51 of these events without attending a presentation ceremony, you would have needed divine inspiration to pick her out from the draw.

Freaky or not, tennis’s camp followers are celebrating Pavlyuchenkova’s long-awaited breakthrough. She has long been one of the most open and engaging players on the tour, with a sharp sense of self-deprecating humour.

On Thursday, she was asked what her 14-year-old self would have said about this late-career blossoming. Pavlyuchenkova quirked her lips in her distinctive half-smile and replied: “She would tell me, ‘What took you so long?’ ”

Like many of the top women, Pavlyuchenkova has had her issues with mental health. Around 2018, she even considered retiring from the game, even though she was only 27.

“I had this rough moment where I had burnout or slight depression,” she told the “No Challenges Remaining” podcast last week. “I was not enjoying anything in life anymore. I was just lost.

“I didn’t want to be No 20 or 30 all my life. I felt like I wanted to be better, but I couldn’t do anything at that point, and I had zero motivation. It was the worst feeling ever: you wake up and you don’t want to do anything. I found myself surrounded by a lot of people, coaches and friends, but I still felt lonely.”

Such experiences are not unusual in this relentless sport. Pavlyuchenkova was echoing the sentiments of a recent Nick Kyrgios interview when she explained: “You don’t know who is there for you because they like you or because you won matches. Then you just become a bit blind. You can lose yourself.”

To deal with her growing alienation, Pavlyuchenkova undertook some counselling, and realised that she needed to draw satisfaction from some other part of her life – not just the trophies that she was piling up. She has 12 tour titles, of which four arrived shortly before this period. “It’s a cliche to say that I had to find myself but I did that,” she concluded, in an interview that displayed her resilience and emotional honesty.

If Pavlyuchenkova’s success in Paris stems from a shift in attitude, the same could be said of Krejcikova, the Czech who was coached by the late Jana Novotna in her teenage years.

Until recently, Krejcikova had been known exclusively as a doubles player – a former world No 1, no less, who lifted back-to-back majors in the summer of 2018 alongside her partner and compatriot Katerina Siniakova. But her singles form was underwhelming. By the start of 2020, she had attempted to play 16 grand slams, and made it through qualifying only once. Even then, she lost to another compatriot – Karolina Pliskova – in the first round.

As a sole trader, Krejcikova finally earned her first WTA title at the end of May, via the Strasbourg event that finished on the eve of Roland-Garros.

A fortnight later, she finds herself on a winning streak of 11 singles matches, while she and Siniakova are also due to play the doubles final tomorrow.

Success on both fronts would match a record that only Mary Pierce, all-conquering here in 2000, has achieved in the Open era.

“I never really wanted to be a doubles specialist,” said Krejcikova earlier in the week. “Everybody, they just put a label on me.”

She also suggested that her mental game had benefited from last year’s unprecedented tour suspension, and a broader world view promoted by Covid-19.

“I’m like, ‘Well, I go and I play tennis and I lose, but there are actually people that are losing their lives’,” she explained. “I just felt more like, ‘Well, just relax because you are healthy. Just appreciate this and just enjoy the game. You can do something what maybe other people would like to do as well but they cannot’.”

So while the names of these two bolters may be unfamiliar to many floating sports fans, their stories are both equally compelling. And whoever lifts that trophy this afternoon, she can say that her triumph stemmed from a dose of hard-won perspective.

Stay with us for build up and game-by-game coverage of the final