No. 1 rank Aryna Sabalenka reached the final for the first time in Paris by finishing Iga Swiatek’s 26-match French Open victory streak, winning the semi-finals 7-6 (1), 4-6, 6-0 on Thursday.
Sabalenka’s victory prevented Swiatek from becoming the first woman to win four consecutive championships in the Clay Court Grand Slam tournament since the experts were recognized in 1968.
It also gives Sabalenka the opportunity to win her fourth major title. And then he first left the hard court and won two at the Australian Open and one at the US Open.
Sabalenka will face No. 2 Coco Gauff or 361 rank French wildcard entry Lois Boisson on his last Saturday.
“To be honest, it feels incredible, but I know I’m not finished work yet. I’m excited about this victory and the atmosphere today,” Sabalenka said. “She’s the toughest opponent, especially Clay, especially Roland Garros. It was a tough match. It was a tricky match, but I managed.”
The 27-year-old from Belarus took the top WTA rankings from Swiatek in October. She reached the finals in three straight grand slams and became the first woman to do so since 2016’s Serena Williams (Australia, French, Wimbledon).
Perhaps most notable is Sabalenka – dotted with rusty clay spots on her back – dominated by crunch time and ran through the final set.
With the roof of Philip Chatelier closed on a drizzle day, there was no wind or other element that players would face, both of which produced great tennis for stretching. But the difference, after all, was that when Sabalenka decided to swing, she rushed Sweet to a mistake.
The third set included 12 forced errors from the Swiatek racket and Sabalenka’s zeros.
“It’s not even perfect,” Sabalenka said of her third set performance. “I’m so proud right now. I’m glad I found a serve.”
This continues the rough stretch of Swiatek, 24, from Poland. He hasn’t reached the finals in any tournament since walking back-to-back trophy from Paris (the fifth overall Grand Slam title) 12 months ago. She recently skated to #5 in the rankings.
Her rut includes an incredible exit in the semi-finals at the 2024 Summer Olympics, contested at Roland Garos. She was awarded a bronze medal. Later last season, she was banned for a month after testing positive for a banned substance. Her explanation was accepted that the outcome was not intentional and caused by contaminated drugs.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to the report.