Kenin, Swiatek advance to women’s final in Paris

PARIS — Sofia Kenin entered 2020 with an 11-11 record in Grand Slam action. She never had made the quarterfinals at any clay-court tournament until this trip to Roland Garros— and lost her only tuneup on the surface 6-0, 6-0 last month.

Iga Swiatek is just 19. She’s ranked 54th. She’s never won a tour-level title. She’d never before been past the fourth round at amajor tournament.

Look at the two of them now — French Open finalists.

Already the owner of a major trophy from this year’s Australian Open, theNo. 4-seededKeninmoved into the title match in Paris by beating No. 7 Petra Kvitova 6-4, 7-5 on Thursday.

“My mentality has obviously changed,” said Kenin, who said she derived a boost of confidence from upsetting SerenaWilliams at Roland Garros a year ago. “I feel like I should be getting deep in a tournament, but try not to put pressure onmyself.”

The 21-year-old American will carry a 16-1 mark in Grand Slam action this season into Saturday’s matchup against Poland’s Swiatek.

“I’m going to be, like, an ‘underdog,’ ” Swiatek said, using her fingers to make air quotes.

On the other hand, consider how dominant she has been along theway to becoming the lowest-ranked women’s finalist at Roland Garros since the WTA computer rankings began in 1975. Her latest lopsided win was via a 6-2, 6-1 score against Argentine qualifierNadiaPodoroska.

“It seems unreal,” Swiatek said. “On one hand, I knowthat I can play great tennis. On the other hand, it’s kind of surprising for me.”