We will not have an all-teenage final at the 2019 French Open, but one up-and-comer has made it into the grand finale, as Marketa Vondrousova beat Johanna Konta in two tight sets. Australia’s Ashleigh Barty joined the Czech 19-year-old just minutes later, after overcoming youngster Amanda Anisimova in a see-saw three-setter.
After only about 12 minutes of play, eighth seed Ashleigh Barty stormed to a 5-0 lead against world No.51 Amanda Anisimova and it seemed that all was lost for the amazing 17-year-old, but the American, who had stunned defending champion Simona Halep in the quarterfinals, constructed a brilliant comeback by winning six games in row to lead 6-5.
The turning point of the first set was in the sixth game, which Anisimova won by hitting a drop shot that forced an error from Barty. As the set went on, Anisimova saved two set points, confidently built her comeback, and even though Barty forced a tiebreak by breaking Anisimova for 6-6, it was the underdog that prevailed in the final stage of the 46-minute set.
Anisimova continued her momentum at the start of the second set, racing to a 3-0 lead, but from then on Barty won six straight games, including a love break that closed the set in 25 minutes.
The first player to lead in the decider was Anisimova, but after 18 minutes of play Barty leveled to 2-2 and never looked back, although she did need six match points to send home the promising teenager.
Just moments before on Court Simonne Mathieu, 19-year-old Marketa Vondrousova battled past seed No.26 Johanna Konta 7-5 7-6(2). British Konta served for both sets, even had three set points in the first set, but it was the newcomer that finished the semifinal victorious and in style, with a dropshot winner on match point.
