French Open Day 12 - A New Star Is Born; Djokovic Sets Up Thiem Clash; Controversy Over Schedule
The champions was dethrone and a new star confirmed as Simona Halep was beaten by Amanda Anisimova, the 17-year-old reaching the semifinals of the French Open.How did she do it? Catherine Whitaker is joined by Simon Briggs of the Telegraph to talk it through. Is Halep too content to compete at the level she needs to, or Anisimova simply not give her the chance? Is Anisimova’s backhand the best in tennis, man or woman?The American will now face Ash Barty, who overcame Madison Keys. So who is the favourite now? Is Jo Konta going to go all the way?In the men’s draw, Novak Djokovic hammered Alexander Zverev and Dominic Thiem did the same to Karen Khachanov to set up a semifinal clash. What will happen tomorrow?And then there’s the schedule, which does not put the two women’s semifinals on the Philippe Chatrier court because of yesterday’s rain. Is that really acceptable? Was there nothing more that could have been done? And what are the WTA saying about it?The Tennis Podcast is daily throughout the French Open, the Fever-Tree Championships at Queen’s, and Wimbledon.It is produced in association with Telegraph Sport. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.