Iga Swiatek's reign at Roland Garros ends as conqueror Aryna Sabalenka storms into maiden French Open last

Jun 05, 2025 09:28 PM IST

Aryna Sabalenka reached her maiden last on the French Open

Iga Swiatek’s reign at Roland Garros got here to a surprising finish on Thursday. The three-time defending champion was gunning for a fourth straight title on the Parisian clay—a feat no girl has achieved within the Open Era within the final 50 years—which might have cemented her standing because the ‘Queen of Clay’. But it wasn’t meant to be. World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka defeated the Pole 7-6, 4-6, 6-0 within the girls’s singles semifinal on Court Philippe-Chatrier to achieve her maiden French Open last.

Poland’s Iga Swiatek reacts throughout her semi last match in opposition to Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka (REUTERS)

Swiatek was on a 26-match successful streak, having by no means misplaced a French Open match since successful her second title in Paris in 2022. But Sabalenka’s energy was an excessive amount of for the 24-year-old to deal with, as her Roland Garros win-loss document now sits at 40-3.

Under a closed roof and gloomy Paris skies, Sabalenka drew first blood within the opening set, racing to a 3-0 lead with a double break. Swiatek fought again valiantly to pressure a tie-break, however the Belarusian responded with overwhelming serves and highly effective returns, sealing the hard-fought set in 1 hour and quarter-hour.

The second set started with three consecutive service breaks, earlier than Swiatek gained the higher hand and held on to pressure a decider. But any hopes of a comeback had been extinguished as Sabalenka confirmed no mercy within the last set, unleashing ferocious flat forehands to finish a surprising win.

“Honestly, it feels incredible but I understand the job is not done yet. I’m just thrilled today with this win and the atmosphere,” Sabalenka mentioned.

“She’s the toughest opponent, especially on clay, especially at Roland Garros. It was a tough match it was a tricky match but I managed.”

The high seed will play both France’s wild card Lois Boisson or second seed Coco Gauff in Saturday’s showcase match the place Sabalenka could have an opportunity to win her fourth main title — and first away from exhausting courts, after two on the Australian Open and one on the U.S. Open.

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