[ad_1]
In the prime of her solo career thus far, Laura Siegemund allowed herself only a small moment of triumph. Surprisingly, the 32-year-old had clearly defeated Spain’s Paula Badosa in the round of 16 of the French Open by 7: 5 and 6: 2. Siegemund raised his fist briefly, then ran to the net with tight lips to receive congratulations from your opponent. It seemed like everyday life, but by no means was it: Siegemund is now in singles for the first time in the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam tournament.
Laura Siegemund is ranked 66th in the world ranking. For years she was an average player. But then came the US Open and with it success. Less than four weeks ago, the Swabian won the title in the double competition in New York with her partner Vera Zvonareva. “I’m a grandmother now, but I’ve worked hard for it and it means a lot to me,” she said afterward.
Work is a good keyword for this. Siegemund works in tennis. This was also clearly visible on Monday afternoon. In again adverse conditions in Paris with high winds, squalls and uncomfortably low temperatures on the Simonne-Mathieu court, which looks like a huge greenhouse from the outside, threw the balls over the net, sometimes screamed loudly after the points won and he tended to dominate his opponent’s solid tennis baseline.
“It’s not fun to play against them”
It is this certain form of perseverance that sets Siegemund apart. This was evident during the full four rounds in Paris: there is no way too far for her, only when the ball is really in the corner and, as the tennis players say, “dead” on the ground, she gives up. “It’s not fun to play against them,” Badosa said after the game.
“I haven’t found my rhythm,” was Siegemund’s conclusion on the first sentence, in which he even had to defend himself against a ready ball. But she made her way into this game. When Badosa had to take a medical break in the second set when the score was 2: 1 and was treated on the back, Siegemund used the brief moment to keep warm and tense with his back to the baseline, with springy triple steps and punches. rapid. . The intensity it showed was almost spectacular.
Just as focused, she continued the game afterward and after just under an hour and a half of play, she fled the court. “It was really cold there. I just wanted to warm up,” she said.
Siegemund has played four matches at the French Open, including in the second round against Julia Görges. In both the German duel and the round of 16 against the 13th seed of the Croatian Petra Martic, Siegemund needed three sets each. She had back problems, so she even dropped out of doubles competition altogether. But Siegemund fought individually and is now experiencing her golden autumn.
“For me, reaching the quarterfinals is the culmination of a long journey,” Siegemund said after the win against Badosa. In Germany he was often in the shadow of Angelique Kerber, Görges and Andrea Petkovic. “For a long time in my career I have not played as well as I thought I could. Now I am being rewarded for the work and continuity that I have put into tennis over the years,” Siegemund said.
A key factor Siegemund is playing in this coronavirus-marked tennis season is his match practice. Since the restart after the month-long break, she has played a lot. The DTB Pro Series, Palermo, Prague, Cincinnati, New York, Rome and now Paris – Siegemund was there pretty much everywhere. “It has been seen that players who have already played some games have advantages. And I am one of them,” he said during the US Open on the tennis podcast “It can’t be serious.”
In the quarterfinals against two-time Wimbledon winner Kvitová
Siegemund has also embraced the new conditions in which tennis is played today. “Now other qualities are required, now there is no audience to take you, push you and give you energy. You have to be able to motivate yourself,” he said on the podcast. Siegemund’s inner determination can be felt in each of his appearances in Paris.
Petra Kvitová now awaits Siegemund in the quarterfinals. The two-time Wimbledon winner is, of course, the big favorite. But what does that mean at this year’s French Open? In the ranks, high-rated players such as Simona Halep or Karolína Plíšková have been eliminated. Along with Elina Svitolina, Kvitová is the last of the established ones.
“I like to play against the greats and then win,” Siegemund said after his success in the last 16. He sounded like he wanted to know again.
