Aryna Sabalenka shattered Iga Swiatek’s French Open dominance on Thursday, ending the world No. 1’s 26-match unbeaten streak at Roland Garros with a thrilling 7-6 (1), 4-6, 6-0 victory in the semifinals. Known for her power on fast courts, Sabalenka proved her prowess on clay by delivering a masterclass against the defending champion.
“It’s going to mean everything to me and my team,” Sabalenka said after the match. “My whole life, I’ve been told clay is not my thing, and I didn’t have any confidence. But we’ve developed my game so much that I feel really comfortable on this surface and actually enjoy playing on clay.”
The Belarusian star is now set to face American sensation Coco Gauff in Saturday’s final. Gauff, a 21-year-old who was the runner-up in Paris last year, secured her spot with a dominant 6-1, 6-2 win over French wild-card entry Loïs Boisson.
“My first final here, I was super nervous, and I kind of wrote myself off before the match even happened,” Gauff admitted. “Obviously, here, I have a lot more confidence just from playing a Grand Slam final before and doing well in one.”
This upcoming showdown marks the first French Open title match between the world’s top two women since 2013 and only the second in the past 30 years. Both players are chasing history: Sabalenka aims for her fourth Grand Slam title and first on clay, while Gauff seeks redemption after last year’s defeat.
Sabalenka’s victory over Swiatek was particularly impressive in the final set, where she raced through with a 6-0 scoreline. “I mean, 6-love,” she exclaimed. “What can I say? Couldn’t be more perfect than that.”
Swiatek acknowledged her struggles during the match. “I lost my intensity a bit,” she said. “Just couldn’t push back.” Statistics highlighted the shift in momentum, with Swiatek committing 12 unforced errors in the third set while Sabalenka remained flawless.
As the anticipation builds for the final, fans around the world are eager to see who will triumph on the red clay of Roland Garros. Will Sabalenka cement her status as a versatile Grand Slam champion, or will Gauff claim her first major title? Saturday’s clash promises to be an unforgettable contest.
