Russian tennis star Daria Kasatkina offered her assessment of Iga Swiatek’s recent run of results as the French Open approached its semi final, a moment that would put Kasatkina against the top seed who has defined much of the clay court season. The narrative around Swiatek’s form was a focal point in the buildup, with Kasatkina noting the psychological and physical rhythms of a player who has long dominated on this surface and in big moments at Roland Garros.
On June 1, Kasatkina endured a straight-sets victory over fellow Russian Veronika Kudermetova in the quarterfinals, sealing a place in the Grand Slam semi finals for the first time in her career. The win reinforced Kasatkina’s resurgence this season and underscored her ability to translate strong performances in tournaments into deep runs on the sport’s biggest stages. Critics and fans alike watched closely to understand how she would approach a semifinal that would test both her consistency and her nerve on the world stage.
Speaking to reporters, Kasatkina reflected on the contrasts between early season form and the level she expects to bring into the match. She emphasized that each contest can unfold in a new way, suggesting that results from February or March might not be predictive of what happens tomorrow. She noted the demanding nature of elite competition, where every opponent brings a fresh challenge and where adjustments must be made quickly to keep pace with the evolving dynamics of the clay court season.
The scheduled semi final between Kasatkina and Swiatek was set for June 2 and was expected to start in the early afternoon hours, with official guidance indicating a local time window that would place it before 16:00 Moscow time. The precise timing of such marquee matches matters to fans following broadcast schedules, national audiences, and the texture of the day’s events on the Parisian courts, where the atmosphere often intensifies as the competition nears its climax.
Earlier discussions around Kasatkina’s goals included her admiration for one of tennis’s legendary figures. She has repeatedly cited Rafael Nadal as a model of both craft and resilience, underscoring a desire to emulate not just his technical diversity but also the mental steadiness that has defined his extraordinary career. Kasatkina has often spoken about wanting to mirror Nadal’s competitive mindset, which she views as a cornerstone of longevity in the sport, especially for a player navigating the highest levels of clay court play. The aspiration reflects a broader theme in her approach: the belief that talent must be paired with unshakable concentration and the ability to endure through the most arduous moments that arise in major championships.