Tennis: Barbora Krejčíková claims maiden Grand Slam title at French Open

Czech Barbora Krejcikova claimed her maiden Grand Slam title after beating Russia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-1 2-6 6-4 in the French Open final on Saturday.

The 25 year-old doubles world number one has won the title on her fifth appearance in a Grand Slam singles draw. She has become the first Czech woman to lift the Suzanne Lenglen Cup since Hana Mandlíkova in 1981 and the third unseeded women's singles champion in French Open history.

"It's hard to put into words. I cannot believe I have just won a Grand Slam," Krejčíková said after the match, paying a poignant tribute to her late coach Jana Novotná.

"I spent a lot of time with Jana before she died. Her last words to me were 'enjoy tennis and try and win a Grand Slam'. I know she's looking after me. All this is pretty much because she is looking after me.“

Krejčíková could also become the first woman to claim the singles and doubles titles in Paris since Mary Pierce in 2000, after reaching the doubles finals with her fellow Czech player Kateřina Siniaková. The Czechs, who already own two Grand Slam doubles titles, will play Iga Swiatek and Bethanie Mattek-Sands for the title on Sunday.