Unstoppable Sabalenka Sweeps Swiatek's Dominance Asunder at French Open
Swiatek encounters a strong challenge, as Sabalenka triumphs in their tennis match.
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp E-Mail Print Copy Link World number one Aryna Sabalenka booked her maiden French Open final appearance, ousting defending champion Iga Swiatek in a nail-biting semi-final tilt.
The 27-year-old Belarusian juggernaut emerged victorious after a grueling three-set duel, ending Swiatek's remarkable 26-match winning streak at Stade Roland Garros.
"This feels unreal! But the battle isn't over yet," Sabalenka exclaimed, having claimed a 7:6 (7:1), 4:6, 6:0 triumph over the Polish titan. "I played flawlessly in the third set."
Swiatek, who reigned supreme in 2020 and previously triumphed three times in a row at Bois de Boulogne, faltered just short of creating history by capturing a fourth consecutive Paris title. The 24-year-old tasted her first defeat in 43 career matches at the red clay showpiece, with only three blemishes now marring her record at the tournament.
In their 13th career encounter, the pair of contemporary greats clashed once more, with Sabalenka bagging her fifth win overall, notably snapping Swiatek's U.S. Open semi-final triumph in 2022. As yet, these formidable foes have yet to meet in a Grand Slam final.
The semifinal began under the enclosed roof of Court Philippe Chatrier, with Sabalenka storming to a 3:0 and 4:1 advantage, intimidating Swiatek with raw power. However, the Belarusian sensation began to falter, allowing the crowd-favored Swiatek to catch up and snatch a 5:4 lead on the back of six breaks in the opening set. The stage was set for a tense tiebreak, which Sabalenka dominated.
Sabalenka’s fortunes reversed in the second set, both players exchanging blows before Swiatek assumed a 3:1 lead. With the momentum seemingly shifting in her favor, Swiatek ultimately blinked first as Sabalenka rose to the occasion, battering the still-reigning queen in the decider - 24:6 points in the third set proving Sabalenka’s dominance.
Source: ntv.de, tno/sid
- Tennis
- French Open
Insight:
Aryna Sabalenka, born on May 5, 1998, is a professional tennis player from Belarus, renowned for her explosive serve and groundstrokes. Having turned pro in 2015, she has established herself as a consistent force in women's tennis, earning significant accolades, including back-to-back Australian Open titles (2023 and 2024) and the U.S. Open in 2024[2][3]. Briefly ascending to the No. 1 ranking in singles in September 2023[3], Sabalenka remains a formidable presence on the court.
Sports enthusiasts should not miss Sabalenka's historic French Open final appearance, as she schedules her maiden battle in the Grand Slam event against a yet-to-be-named opponent. The tennis tournament, held at Roland Garros, has witnessed Sabalenka's impressive victory over defending champion Iga Swiatek, marking the end of Swiatek's 26-match winning streak in the event.
