Barbora Krejcikova v Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova: French Open final goes to final set – live!

Final set: Krejcikova 6-1 2-6 4-3 *Pavlyuchenkova (*denotes server)

Signs of a break on the Pavlyuchenkova serve? The Roland Garros crowd senses it. And they are bang on. A crashing shot sets up another three break points. That’s taken with a huge winner past a floundering Pavlyuchenkova. The Russian has to save this now.

Final set: Krejcikova* 6-1 2-6 3-3 Pavlyuchenkova (*denotes server)

Krejcikova’s swinging spinner takes a point to go 15-0 up. She probably didn’t mean that one. She means the next one, and it goes to 30-30. Then to 40-0, and a valuable hold is secured. The first love game of the match.

Final set: Krejcikova 6-1 2-6 2-3 *Pavlyuchenkova (*denotes server)

Pavlyuchenkova plays a crunching shot to go on the brink of a hold and eventually gets the job done. They have won 65 points each. It’s ebbed and flowed all the show but it’s been very even.

Final set: Krejcikova* 6-1 2-6 2-2 Pavlyuchenkova (*denotes server)

Pavlyuchenkova ain’t done, she breaks back with power. She can still launch a howitzer when she wants, and surges to 0-40 when the Czech fails to make first serves. Then comes a rally which sends the Russian all round the court before she fails to make the first break point. The second was well won by some smart hitting on the counter. The third is bullied home.

Final set: Krejcikova 6-1 2-6 2-1 *Pavlyuchenkova (*denotes server)

A break, and won on a double fault. Pavlyuchenkova is still making her shots, and those painkillers may be kicking in. But Krejcikova has learned her lesson and is making the Russian run.

Final set: Krejcikova* 6-1 2-6 1-1 Pavlyuchenkova (*denotes server)

Krejcikova is yet to put her opponent under pressure with any shots that will make her have to move. Her serve to take it to 30-30 is decent, just in the right place. Pavlyuchenkova tries to smash a winner, which is all she can do and nets to take it to 40-30. Then, to win the game, the Russian is sent scrabbling.

Final set: Krejcikova 6-1 2-6 0-1 *Pavlyuchenkova (*denotes server)

Lengthy comfort break ahead of the decider. Gamesmanship? It’s possible from Krejcikova who is hoping her opponent’s injury can only get worse. Pavlyuchenkova looks a tad miffed by this and is trying to keep herself moving. There is muffled applause for the belated arrival of Krejcikova. Pavlyuchenkova takes revenge by serving with power. She aces to go to 40-15, and claims the first game.

Second set: Krejcikova* 6-1 2-6 Pavlyuchenkova (*denotes server)

There’s a medical timeout as Krejcikova has a problem with her left leg which seemed to be tweaked just as Pavlyuchenkova was closing on the second set. Looks like her thigh muscles got snarled up in the clay. She soldiers on to face her opponent serving to stay in the set. Her way to win is to power on, but Krejcikova’s shot for 15-15 would have been beyond Usain Bolt at full pelt. Still, it goes to 15-30, and she is hanging on until the painkillers kick in. Job done, and she whips a backhand winner. The third and deciding set is upon us.

Second set: Krejcikova 6-1 2-5 *Pavlyuchenkova (*denotes server)

Break back! Krejcikova clings on, taking it to 0-30 on her opponent’s serve. But it goes back to 30-30. Then set point when Krejcikova misses a winner. It goes to deuce, as Pavlyuchenkova is sent scrabbling. Some nerves from Pavlyuchenkova as she makes a mess of a shot from the baseline, but a shot down the line levels up matters once more. But a whipped forehand takes the break for the Czech.

Second set: Krejcikova* 6-1 1-5 Pavlyuchenkova (*denotes server)

Pavlyuchenkova beginning to make mincemeat of her opponent’s serve; she will serve for the set. She gets to more break points with relative ease. The second is saved, but the second – on second servem and on second ball drop – is also saved. So then, deuce, then another deuce. A double fault offers up another break point. And that’s taken up.

Second set: Krejcikova 6-1 1-4 *Pavlyuchenkova (*denotes server)

Pavlyuchenkova clatters home to go 30-0 up. Then she’s sent skidding by a drop shot. No problem, it goes to 40-15. And that’s a hold. We are rattling towards a final set of truth.

Second set: Krejcikova* 6-1 1-3 Pavlyuchenkova (*denotes server)

Krejcikova’s nerves of the opening game seem to have returned but then she arrives at 40-15, and Pavlyuchenkova’s dig for a winner hands her a first game in the set.

Second set: Krejcikova 6-1 0-3 *Pavlyuchenkova (*denotes server)

Pavlyuchenkova goes to 30-0 up but is then tempted into overhitting a returned serve. It’s Krejcikova’s turn to wobble as she hammers an attempted winner wide. It’s speculative at best, and it’s going the Russian’s way.

Second set: Krejcikova* 6-1 0-2 Pavlyuchenkova (*denotes server)

Game on! An early break. Pavlyuchenkova goes to 30-0 up, the second a smart shot on the volley. Then comes another, for six points in a row. And a break point. The first goes by, the second is walloped into the net. But the third comes in and there’s a skip and a jump in celebration.

Second set: Krejcikova 6-1 0-1 *Pavlyuchenkova (*denotes server)

The first win in six games. Pavlyuchenkova is struggling to access her usual power from the baseline. Two fine rallies take it to 30-30, every point being fought over. Then a top-spun winner lands another break point. That’s saved by Pavlyuchenkova smoshing home a volley at the net. Then a quick point to take the advantage. The first serve is still problematic, but she gets it done on the second.

First set: Krejcikova* 6-1 Pavlyuchenkova (*denotes server)

Too easy! A second serve ace takes it to 15-30 when a wobble looked in the offing. Then to 30-30 with the save of an attempted winner that did not have nearly enough gas. Then some strong serving takes it to set point. And that’s seen out with a skidder that forces a return to go long. After that horrible first service game this has been brilliant from Krejcikova. By contrast, Pavlyuchenkova is really struggling out there. She’s been nowhere near her best.

First set: Krejcikova 5-1 *Pavlyuchenkova (*denotes server)

Krejcikova brimming with confidence and making her opponent suffer. Pavlyuchenkova is trying to force things too hard, it goes to 0-30. Then a missed smash coughs up three break points. Krejcikova could have taken the first, but collided with some advertising for a French car company you also associate with cycling. The next will have to do. That’s five games in a row.

First set: Krejcikova* 4-1 Pavlyuchenkova (*denotes server)

Krejcikova takes full hold of this set, despite making an unforced error to go to 15-15. Pavlyuchenkova makes her own error so we go to 30-15 but a lob takes it to 30-30. Then a fine rally results in Krejcikova stepping into the centre of the court to crash a winner, she takes the game on her next serve.

First set: Krejcikova 3-1 *Pavlyuchenkova (*denotes server)

Two breaks now to the Czech, having been so wonky in the first game. Pavlyuchenkova’s turn to be nervous? It looks that way. Krejcikova is though beaten by a powerful backhand winner from the baseline. Pavlyuchenkova then misses a winner having been drawn in by some low-hanging slices. Then a drop shot forces another two break points. First one is saved by an even better drop shot. The next is a winner down the line for deuce. But then Pavlyuchenkova goes long for another break point to face. And again!

First set: Krejcikova* 2-1 Pavlyuchenkova (*denotes server)

Krejcikova in the groove? Perhaps but both are playing decent ground strokes. There is not much between the pair in these early stages. It goes to 30-15. Then 40-15 via a crashing backhand from the back of the court. She attempts the same to take the game but rattles the net cord. Then some nerves over second service on 40-30 but she sees it out.

First set: Krejcikova 1-1 *Pavlyuchenkova (*denotes server)

Broken back immediately. Krejcikova begins with a confident winner, then nets for 15-15. Some neat serving and following up takes it to 30-15. Then Pavlyuchenkova nets for 30-30. This is nervous stuff. Krejcikova whips a winner home as she steps to the net for a break point. Pavlyuchenkova saves it with whipped back hand which dies like a falling leaf on the other side of the net. Then there’s an error on a service return for the advantage. Pavlyuchenkova’s serving is nervous, too. And her attempt to take the game goes long. This could be a marathon. Krejcikova gets another chance at break point, and she takes it with a winner that her opponent misreads completely.

First set: Krejcikova* 0-1 Pavlyuchenkova (*denotes server)

A break in the opening game, Kader Nouni is the umpire today and he gets it underway in his mellifluous tones. We begin with a long rally in which both players get to test out the other. Pavlyuchenkova plays a winner to take that, and then reads Krejcikova’s serve to go to 0-30. Then comes a double fault. A touch of the yips? A winner to go to 15-40 will restore some confidence. But then comes another double. Oh dear.

The players enter the court. It seems muted out there, when compared to last night’s fireworks. This is something of a low-key final but with there being a chance for both players to win a first Slam, nerves are bound to play their part.

Both are all smiles as the toss is made. Pavlyuchenkova has opted to receive, and so begins the knock-up. It’s hot and muggy in Paris.