Will Lys crack the coconut?

Ça va être dur avec le dos d'une cuillère..

A tender Eva Lys arriving in uncharted territory! First WTA 1000 quarterfinal after three three-set matches, including a prestigious scalp: Elena Rybakina. Hats off, artist!

If I want to darken the picture a bit and play the sourpuss, I'd say the Kazakh was suffering from her shoulder, that Kessler still had yesterday's meal in her stomach... Add a physio intervention on an American who looked pale and below par, and we're almost on the verge of a “gerbe”.

Conversely, if I want to be benevolent, I'd simply say: Bravo Eva! A nice performance that allows her to re-enter the top 50, and maybe even finish as the No. 1 German player (honorary, of course, but who doesn't like being their country's number 1?). T. Maria is a few points behind. She showed solid tennis, notably overturning the rising star Jovic: down 5-2 in the 3rd set, she ultimately won 7-5.

The dream should end here against the home favorite, determined to defend her crown, especially since Iga just exited via the back door today! Yes, Coco makes a lot of double faults, yes, she remains fragile... but she's always there at the final showdown, clutch in the key moments. I think the German run ends here.