French Open 2021 Women’s Final Highlights: Krejcikova wins maiden Grand Slam

Pavlyuchenkova serves to stay in the final but Krejcikova is on a different level now. A dropshot and then a confident forehand makes it 15-30. A long rally ensues and the Czech's crosscourt backhand makes it 15-40. Pavlyuchenkova saves one championship point to make it 30-40 and then another! Krejcikova overhits a return. Deuce. And the Russian saves it right at the very end. 

After successfully breaking her opponent at a crucial juncture of the match, Krejcikova serves with the trophy on her mind. But Pavlyuchenkova wins the first point before the Czech's comeback to make it 15-15. Both the finalists are going toe-to-toe now. From 30-30, Krejcikova wins one after a rally but then, she hits the net on the return. Deuce. In the end, Krejcikova holds!

After two breaks by both the finalists, Pavlyuchenkova serves with the goal to hold. Although she gets the first point of the game, Krejcikova makes it 15-15 soon after. From 30-30, the Russian wraps things with an ace and an unforced error from her opponent.

Krejcikova serves and loses the first point but he pulls one back. Both the players exchange consecutive punches before the Czech takes the lead on 40-30. She wraps the game up with a beguiling backhand to the left of Pavlyuchenkova. She holds.

All to play for in the third set now! Pavlyuchenkova serves first and she wins the first two points with ease. Krejcikova pulls one back but the Russian distances herself with a perfect ace. She holds her serve after her opponent unleashes a wayward forehand. 

One set to decide a champion ??@NastiaPav isn't ready to give up on her Slam dreams just yet. She battles back to win the second set 6-2. Who will hoist the trophy?#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/l9MqBYJCtk

— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 12, 2021

Krejcikova stands firm early on, winning two straight points... but Pavlyuchenkova doesn't let go of the game and pounces back with three straight points to make it 40-30. A long rally forces her to hit the net on the return. Deuce. Then, Krejcikova breaks!

Pavlyuchenkova is not putting a single foot wrong right now! She goes toe-to-toe with Krejcikova on her serve and makes it 15-15. Two wayward shots and it's 15-40! But the Russian slips up and fails to keep the ball inside the court twice. Deuce. Krejcikova gets the advantage but falters and hits the net. Pavlyuchenkova doesn't let the chance go away and wins two straight points afterwards!

She's knows a thing or two about finals ??

Our two-time champion, @Martina ??#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/Ia0BVMO7h6

— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 12, 2021

After holding her serve, Pavlyuchenkova gathered her confidence to break Krejcikova in the next game. She holds her serve yet again in a necessary turnaround for her, conceding just one point there. She threatens yet again, makes it 15-15 during Krejcikova's serve. But the Czech soon races to 40-15 owing to unforced errors. Another wayward return, and Krejcikova holds! Respite.

Pavlyuchenkova serves first in the second set but Krejcikova just maintains her momentum. The Czech picks up the first point and comes out victorious in a long rally to make it 15-30. She goes ahead to make it 30-40, but the more experienced Russian soon makes it deuce with a brilliant forehand smash. Pavlyuchenkova wins the next point before her opponent gifts her the game point.

After picking up five straight games, Krejcikova serves for the set. But she panics a bit and gifts her opponent two straight points. 0-30. But a backhand winner and then an out by Pavlyuchenkova makes it 30-30. Two brilliant serves and the first set is hers!

One set down ??@BKrejcikova swiftly takes the opening set, 6-1!#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/XfLmiI53PV

— wta (@WTA) June 12, 2021

After a slurry start, Krejcikova has finally found some of her groove. She goes in looking for another break and soon finds herself in 15-30. A smart rally and a forehand later, it's 15-40. But Pavlyuchenkova doesn't sit back and unleashes a drop shot... and then an accurate backhand to make it deuce. But soon after, the Russian gifts her opponent the advantage and also the game point.

Pavlyuchenkova starts her serve with two quick points before the unseeded Krejcikova bites back to make it 30-15. After a small rally and a good backhand, the Czech makes it 30-40 looking for a break. Then, Pavlyuchenkova races to advantage but an unforced error makes it deuce again. Krejcikova's forehand hands her the advantage and then she seals the deal to level the score in the set. 

Krejcikova starts the final with the serve, but he easily gives away three straight points. She's looking a bit under pressure, hitting the nets on her first serve. She hits back to make it 15-40, but Pavlyuchenkova breaks in the first game itself. Nice and easy.

Welcome to a first Slam final ??

Take it all in, @BKrejcikova and @NastiaPav #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/pR20z7Eit9

— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 12, 2021

Pavlyuchenkova: "I do everything just by nature and by what I feel, that's why I haven't celebrated it so much. It's my biggest final and I don't think about my opponent. First final after 52 Grand Slams? I join the club of players like Francesca Schiavone and Roberta Vinci, I'm focused and I'd like to win. At least I want to try, that's what I want. I want to enjoy it, it will be a special moment."

Krejcikova: "I think we (after beating Sakkari) both deserved the win for the way we played, but only one can win and I'm happy that it was me. Now I have the chance to play a new game in this tournament. The final? I've always wanted to play these kinds of games, these tournaments with great opponents and reach the utmost rounds."

A first career meeting with a Grand Slam ? on the line #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/xC9WC01Oki

— Billie Jean King Cup (@BJKCup) June 10, 2021

First round: Kristyna Pliskova 5-7, 6-4, 6-2
Second round: Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-2, 6-3
Third round: Elina Svitolina 6-3, 6-2
Fourth round: Sloane Stephens 6-2, 6-0
Quarter-finals: Coco Gauff 7-6, 6-3
Semi-finals: Maria Sakkari 7-5, 4-6, 9-7

First round: Christina McHale 6-4, 6-0
Second round: Ajla Tomljanovic 6-2, 6-3
Third round: Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 2-6, 6-0
Fourth round: Victoria Azarenka 5-7, 6-2, 6-3
Quarter-finals: Elena Rybakina 6-7, 6-2, 7-6
Semi-finals: Tamara Zidansek 7-5, 6-3

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova will take on Barbora Krejcíková in an unexpected French Open final at the Phillipe Chatrier court after reaching this stage in her 52nd attempt. On the other hand, Krejcikova is known as a double specialist and this is only her fifth appearance in a singles main draw at a Grand Slam event. The finalists were also helped by the fact that the top seeds just kept falling at Roland Garros this year. While top-ranked Ashleigh Barty was knocked out in the second round, the 23-time major winner Serena Williams bowed out in the fourth round. Naomi Osaka, the second seed, pulled out after the first round.

One match to crown a champion ??

???? Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova vs. Barbora Krejcikova ????#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/WjUtGGdcpR

— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 12, 2021

Hello and welcome to the live commentary of the French Open women's singles final between Barbora Krejcikova and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. Both of them are first-time finalists and will be eagerly eyeing a first Grand Slam title. Stay tuned for more!