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The most in-form participant on the planet runs into the one who has been nearly unbeatable at Roland Garros
Four-time champion Iga Swiatek defeated Elina Svitolina 6-1, 7-5 to increase her spectacular run. (REUTERS)
On Tuesday, each got here up with straight-set wins of their respective quarter-final to arrange a mouth watering semi-final. In some ways, the ultimate earlier than the ultimate.
Playing one after the opposite on Court Philippe Chatrier, Sabalenka beat eight seed Qinwen Zheng 7-6(3), 6-3 earlier than Swiatek got here up with a 6-1, 7-5 win over thirteenth seed Elina Svitolina. By no means although had been the wins on Tuesday straight-forward.
Sabalenka was developing towards the Olympic champion, who had crushed the Belarusian per week earlier than the French Open, on the Rome Masters. Zheng made the primary massive transfer within the match by incomes a break within the third sport of the opening set. But Sabalenka wouldn’t go away, regardless of Zheng trying the sharper of the 2 gamers early on.
The prime seed finally obtained a break again earlier than clinching the set within the tiebreaker.
They traded breaks early within the second set just for Sabalenka to interrupt as soon as once more at 3-3. With Zheng serving to remain within the match, Sabalenka unleashed a sequence of highly effective backhands that the Chinese had no reply to.
In the second quarter-final, Swiatek was in management within the first set. In the second although, Svitolina discovered larger depth and rhythm on her forehand as she challenged the Pole’s firepower.
It took some extra heavy-hitting from Swiatek to search out the break within the eleventh sport, after which she served out for the match with three aces within the last sport. And with it, she ensured a thirteenth assembly with Sabalenka.
The pair will come into the match on the again of contrasting type.
Sabalenka has been the participant to beat, with a 39/6 file up to now this season, together with three titles.
Reaching the semi-final signifies that Sabalenka is now solely the third lady within the final 30 years to achieve 9 Grand Slam semi-finals in 10 appearances, together with Serena Williams and Martina Hingis.
The three Grand Slams Sabalenka has gained up to now have all come on laborious courts. But she does have a sport that may work on any floor – she has reached the semi-final with out dropping a set.
Up subsequent for the 27-year-old although is a participant typically dubbed the ‘Queen of Clay.’
Swiatek has not gained any trophies up to now this season, and has a 32/9 file on the tour in 2025.
By her lofty requirements, this has not been a memorable season. But the French Open has been her protected area. It has been the one match the place she has been most snug. And she has performed her method again into type.
The 24-year-old is now on a 26-match unbeaten run on the French Open, the place she has gained 4 of her 5 Grand Slam titles.
Going into the semi-final, Swiatek has an 8-4 head-to-head file towards Sabalenka. At the majors although, they met solely as soon as, when Swiatek gained their semi-final on the US Open in 2022.
The subsequent assembly although is necessary for each gamers for varied causes.
Sabalenka is seeking to break free from the tag of being a hard-court specialist – regardless of having just lately gained the Madrid Masters on clay.
Swiatek in the meantime is hoping to get her season again on monitor. But she is aware of she is in for a tough battle forward.
“Aryna is always a challenge. She has a game for every surface. I need to focus on myself, do the work, be brave with my shots and go for it,” Swiatek stated after beating Svitolina. “She’s been having a great season, it is going to be a tough match.”
Tough, and presumably the most important at this French Open. For each gamers.
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