Kenin tops Kvitova to set up French Open final with red-hot Swiatek

Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin defeated Petra Kvitova 6-4, 7-5 on Thursday to progress to her first-ever French Open final.

The fourth-seeded American is 16-1 in major tournaments this season after eliminating 7-seed and two-time Wimbledon winner Kvitova on a blustery day on the Court Philippe-Chatrier.

Kenin will face unseeded Iga Swiatek in Saturday's final after the Polish 19-year-old dismantled Argentine qualifier Nadia Podoroska 6-2, 6-1 earlier Thursday. World No. 54 Swiatek has yet to drop a set at the 2020 French Open.

It's different strokes for Kenin, who went to three sets in four of her five tests heading into Saturday's semifinal, though the 21-year-old is swiftly developing a reputation as a big-match player.

Kenin's trademark backhand drop shot was on point again and she bettered her opponent at the net, winning 12 of 17 net points. "My backhand was key. Petra has a great aggressive game with a huge serve. I knew I had to be at my best. I am super happy and proud of myself," Kenin said afterward, per BBC Sport.

Kvitova entered the affair with blazing serve in tow, but it was Kenin who claimed a first-set advantage courtesy of 79% first-serve conversion. Kvitova, competing in her first semifinal at Roland Garros since 2012, struggled with the windy conditions, prompting 31 unforced errors.

Kenin will now prepare for the unenviable task of going up against the near-infallible and in-form Swiatek, who eased her way to Saturday's showpiece on a torrid run that included a dominant display against top-seeded Simona Halep.