World number one Aryna Sabalenka powered her way into her first French Open final, defeating four-time champion Iga Swiatek in a thrilling semi-final showdown at Roland Garros. The Belarusian star secured a 7-6 (7-1), 4-6, 6-0 victory, ending Swiatek’s remarkable 26-match winning streak at the tournament and setting up a blockbuster final against second seed Coco Gauff on Saturday.
Sabalenka, whose three Grand Slam titles have all come on hard courts, showcased her resilience on the clay, overcoming a sluggish start to dominate the decisive third set in just 24 minutes. The 27-year-old, who had never previously reached the Paris final, described the win as a career highlight. “Iga is the toughest opponent, especially at Roland Garros,” Sabalenka said. “I’m proud I managed to get this win, but the job is not done yet.”
Swiatek, the fifth seed from Poland, battled back to level the match after losing the first set in a tiebreak, but Sabalenka’s relentless aggression in the decider proved too much. The victory marks a significant milestone for Sabalenka, who has long been a force on faster surfaces but has now proven her versatility on the demanding clay courts.
In the other semi-final, American Coco Gauff delivered a commanding 6-1, 6-2 performance to end the fairy-tale run of French wildcard Lois Boisson, ranked world number 361. Boisson, making her Grand Slam main draw debut, captivated home fans with her spirited campaign, but Gauff’s experience and precision proved overwhelming.
The 2022 French Open runner-up to Swiatek, Gauff now stands one win away from her first Roland Garros title.Saturday’s final promises an electrifying clash between two of the sport’s brightest stars, with Sabalenka chasing her maiden French Open crown and Gauff aiming to cement her place among tennis’s elite.