Arina Sobolenko, a Belarusian tennis player, advanced to the French Open 2023 semifinals after a strong performance in the quarterfinals. As the world’s second-ranked player, she faced Ukrainian Elina Svitolina in a match watched by fans at Roland Garros in Paris. The encounter on the Philippe Chatrier court lasted one hour and 38 minutes and concluded in straight sets, with Sobolenko prevailing 6:4, 6:4.
Throughout the battle, Sobolenko delivered one ace and registered three double faults, while converting 59% of her first-serve points. Svitolina, by contrast, produced three aces and four double faults, but she managed to win 71% of her first-serve points, signaling resilience on serve during important moments of the match.
Heading into the semifinals, Sobolenko is set to meet Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic, a player who earned her place in the late stage by defeating Russian competitor Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the quarterfinals. The semifinal pairing brings together several of the sport’s rising talents as they push toward the title on a renowned European stage.
The semifinals were scheduled for Thursday, June 8, with a start time set for 16:00 Moscow time, a key reference for global audiences following the tournament across multiple time zones. This round represents a critical test for Sobolenko as she pursues a deep run at one of the sport’s most prestigious events, where strategy, endurance, and consistency across all facets of the game come under the brightest spotlight.
The broader competitive environment around the event has included discussions about visas and participation for players from Russia, which has influenced preparations and scheduling for Wimbledon and related tours. Such issues add another layer of context to the tournament, impacting decisions players, federations, and organizers must navigate while pursuing peak performance on the court. Still, on-court results remain the primary focus for fans, analysts, and the athletes themselves as they navigate this high-stakes moment in the season.