Unseeded Czech Karolina Muchova advances to her first Grand Slam singles final with a three-hour-and-thirteen-minute victory over Aryna Sabalenka, who led 5-2 in the third set before Muchova rallied to win a protracted match.
Muchova ranked 43rd in the world, won 20 of the last 24 points to defeat the second seed 7-6 (7-5) 6-7 (5-7) 7-5 in a three-hour-and-thirteen-minute match, while Swiatek was given her toughest test of the tournament thus far by Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia before prevailing 6-2 7-6 (9-7).
Sabalenka, who was attempting to win back-to-back Grand Slam titles after winning the Australian Open, appeared to have turned the tide in her favor near the finish line, but Muchova made her pay by closing the gap.
The 26-year-old is the fourth lowest-ranked woman to reach the final, and for the fifth consecutive year, an unseeded player will compete in the championship match.
