Kvitova to face Kenin in French Open semi-final

Petra Kvitova returned to the French Open semifinals for the first time in eight years after defeating Germany's Laura Siegemund 6-3, 6-3, describing Roland Garros as her lucky place.

Czech seventh seed Kvitova, a two-time Wimbledon champion, will now face Australian Open winner Sofia Kenin who knocked out fellow American Danielle Collins 6-4, 4-6, 6-0 for a place in Saturday's final.

The 30-year-old Kvitova was beaten by eventual champion Maria Sharapova when she made the same stage in 2012. It was Paris where Kvitova made her comeback in 2017 after spending six months recovering from a terrifying knife attack at her home in December 2016. The frenzied assault required a fourhour operation and left her with damaged ligaments in her playing hand. Doctors warned her that her career may be finished. On Wednesday, Kvitova fired 22 winners and six aces past 32year-old Siegemund, the world number 66 who was playing in the quarter-finals of a Slam for the first time.

One break of serve in the opener was enough for Kvitova while five more breaks followed in the second set. Kvitova claimed victory when Siegemund served up a third double fault of the tie.

Siegemund leaves behind a tournament to remember having been accused of hitting the ball on a double bounce in her first round win over Kristina Mladenovic. She then munched on a plate of food courtside during her fourth round victory against Paula Badosa. Fourth seed Kenin moved two wins from a second Grand Slam title of 2020 when she defeated Collins on the back of 38 winners, outhitting her 26-year-old rival who had arrived in the last eight having unleashed a tournament total of 140.