Sabalenka through to semis after handshake controversy
The Independent|June 07, 2023
Belarusian sets up French Open clash with Czech Muchova
Sabalenka through to semis after handshake controversy

World No 2 Aryna Sabalenka reached the French Open semifinals yesterday, beating Ukraine's Elina Svitolina, who accused the Belarusian of fanning the flames of controversy for waiting at the net for a handshake she knew would never come.

Novak Djokovic, who put his own political drama in the rearview mirror last week, continued his bid for a men's record 23rd Grand Slam title by shaking off a first-set blip to beat Russian 11th seed Karen Khachanov 4-6 7-6 (0) 6-2 6-4. "He was the better player for most of the first two sets, I was struggling to find rhythm, I came into this a bit sluggish," twice Roland Garros champion Djokovic said. "Then I played a perfect tiebreak, and from that moment on I played a couple of levels higher."

This story is from the June 07, 2023 edition of The Independent.

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This story is from the June 07, 2023 edition of The Independent.

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