Aryna Sabalenka storms past Iga Swiatek to claim French Open Final spot

The world No. 1's power and precision ended Swiatek's four-year unbeaten streak at the tournament, halting her run of 26 consecutive wins in Paris.

In their first Grand Slam clash since the 2022 US Open, Sabalenka, a three-time hard-court major champion, showcased her adaptability on clay. The match, a showcase of elite tennis, saw both players trade blistering groundstrokes and tactical shifts.

Sabalenka surged to a 3-0 lead with early breaks, but Swiatek, ranked No. 5, fought back, leveling the first set at 5-5 after a controversial let call disrupted Sabalenka's rhythm. Undeterred, Sabalenka dominated the tiebreak, conceding just one point.

The second set was a high-octane battle, with Swiatek's rare net approaches paying dividends, including a delicate volley to clinch the set and level the match. But Sabalenka's intensity soared in the decider.

Breaking Swiatek twice, she overwhelmed the defending champion, who faded as Sabalenka's backhand sealed the rout.

"Reaching the final feels unreal," Sabalenka said post-match. "Iga's a warrior on clay, so this win means everything. But I'm focused on one more step."

Recent X posts from Sabalenka's coach, Anton Dubrov, praised her mental resilience, noting her ability to "reset and dominate" in the third set, a sentiment echoed by fans online celebrating her aggressive playstyle.

Sabalenka now awaits her opponent in the final, poised to claim her first clay-court Grand Slam and cement her dominance in women's tennis.

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