All Four Grand Slam Finalists Share Something in Common

Women’s singles: Don’t recognize any of the semifinalists in the women’s draw? No sweat, they’re all new here. For only the second time in tennis’ Open Era, all four women are Grand Slam first-timers, while the highest world-ranked player remaining is No. 18 Maria Sakkari, who beat reigning champ Iga Świątek (pronounced shvee-AH-tek) in the quarters.

• Sakkari will play No. 33 Barbora Krejčíková (pronounced crey-CHEE-koh-va), who knocked out 17-year-old Coco Gauff yesterday.

• Meanwhile, No. 32 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (pronounced pav-loo-CHEN-koh-va) will take on No. 85 Tamara Zidansek (pronounced zi-DAN-sheck) in today’s semis ahead of Saturday’s final.

Men’s singles: And on the total flipside, the King of Clay Rafael Nadal is making his record-extending 14th appearance in the French Open semis, where he’ll play world No. 1 Novak Djokovic in a rematch of last year’s final.

• For the other semi, it’ll be No. 6 Alexander Zverev (pronounced SVAIR-ev) and No. 5 Stefanos Tsitsipas (pronounced see-see-PASS) battling it out before Sunday’s final. Check out the full schedule (including doubles action), here.