Potapova and Grabher Chase Third-Round Berths at Scorching French Open

Grabher’s Uphill Battle

The 29-year-old Grabher, who will turn 30 soon, reached the second round of a Grand Slam for the second consecutive time by dismantling Slovakian qualifier Rebecca Sramkova 6:2, 6:2 in the first round. Bresnik called it perhaps the best major match he has seen from her. “Das war großartig, sie war enorm aggressiv mit der Vorhand und hat sehr gut serviert, auch vom Auftreten her wohl das beste Match, das ich von ihr gesehen habe,” he said.

Grabher’s game is built around heavy topspin on her forehand and an effective kick serve, attributes that could be amplified on clay. “Ich glaube, dass es mir entgegenkommt, weil der Ball noch höher abspringt,” Grabher said of the surface. She also relishes long rallies. “Ich liebe es, Ballwechsel zu haben,” she stated.

Anisimova presents a different caliber of opponent. Bresnik praised the American’s speed and serve. “Außergewöhnlich, zähl mir zehn Frauen auf, die schneller rennen können. Auch ihr Aufschlag, vor allem der zweite, ist richtig gut,” he analyzed. He noted that Anisimova plays significantly faster than Elina Svitolina.

Despite the odds, Grabher is embracing the opportunity. “Anisimova ist eine sehr gute Spielerin. Ich freue mich mega auf die Möglichkeit und werde versuchen, mein Spiel zu spielen,” she said. A win would send her into the third round of a major for the first time in her career.

Road to Recovery

Grabher was on the verge of the top 50 in 2023 before a wrist tendon injury derailed her progress. Her recent results have reinforced her candidacy for a stable return to the top 100. “Wenn sie so weiterspielt, steht sie bald wieder in den Top 100,” Bresnik predicted.

Grabher herself is not fixated on the numbers. “Mein Fokus liegt gar nicht darauf, das ist zweitrangig. Das Ranking kann ich nur mit guten Matches beeinflussen,” she explained.

Potapova, meanwhile, has openly voiced her title ambitions without arrogance. She laughed off the heat during her on-court interview, telling the crowd, “Ich komme aus Florida, wisst ihr.” She later elaborated on her mindset: “Wenn du dich darauf fokussierst, was du machen musst, macht das alles nichts. Sogar wenn wir mit der Familie auf Urlaub fahren und alle vor der Hitze flüchten wollen, bin ich die Erste, die bei über 40 Grad ohne Sonnencreme die Sonne genießt.”

Potapova’s Confidence

Boulter, 29, is set to marry Australian world number seven Alex de Minaur this summer. She has reached the third round of a Grand Slam only twice at Wimbledon and once at the US Open, and has never faced Potapova before.

Defending champion Coco Gauff, 22, cruised through her first-round match against Taylor Townsend, conceding just four games. The world number four also referenced the heat, telling the audience with a smile, “Ich komme aus Florida.”

The heatwave gripping Paris is unprecedented for May, according to long-time tournament observers. The total prize pool for the French Open stands at €61,723,000.