Iga Swiatek’s impressive reign at the French Open has come to an end, as she lost in the semi-finals to Aryna Sabalenka, who is currently ranked number one in the WTA. The match took place at the iconic Court Philippe-Chatrier, concluding with scores of 7-6(7-1), 4-6, 6-0 in favor of Sabalenka. This defeat also marked the end of Swiatek’s remarkable 26-match winning streak at Roland Garros, where she had dominated the women’s scene by winning three consecutive titles and four out of the last five tournaments.
Sabalenka now advances to her first-ever French Open final, where she will face Coco Gauff, who is aiming for redemption after losing the final to Swiatek last year. Commenting on Swiatek’s performance, former player Tim Henman expressed disbelief at how quickly the third set slipped away from her.
Following her defeat, Swiatek had a tense interaction with a journalist, during which she seemed frustrated by questions regarding her performance. The journalist broached the topic of emotional fatigue possibly influencing the outcome of the third set. While Swiatek showed commendable fighting spirit to snatch the second set, she ultimately struggled against the overwhelming tactical play of Sabalenka in the deciding set.
This encounter is notable as it represents only their second meeting in a Grand Slam, with Swiatek having previously triumphed over Sabalenka during the semi-finals of the 2022 US Open. With Sabalenka now achieving newfound success in Grand Slam tournaments, her winning streak in semi-finals adds another layer of intensity going forward.
As the tennis community looks ahead to the final, it is an exciting moment for both Sabalenka and Gauff, who share a well-balanced rivalry at 5-5 in their head-to-head record. Both players have significant momentum, and the upcoming match promises to deliver high stakes and thrilling tennis. Swiatek’s determination and fierce competitive spirit, despite this setback, highlight her resilience and potential for future victories in her career.