Aryna Sabalenka, with a sensational 6-7(1), 6-4, 6-0 semi-final performance, sealed her first ever Roland Garros final after quad winning champion Iga Swiatek was stopped at 26 matches in French Open.
Defending champion Swiatek, a four-time French Open winner, was unable to find a way against Sabalenka’s power game during one-sided last set. The Pole was eager to be the first female in the Open Era to win four consecutive titles in Paris but her unforced mistakes and a dominating opponent were her undoing.
The world no.1 Sabalenka finally found her rhythm to blast Swiatek away in the deciding set with furious groundstrokes and a more lively service. “Winning here and this atmosphere made me so happy,” she added. “Nothing could be better.”
She is set to meet Coco Gauff, who comfortably beat French wildcard Lois Boisson 6-1, 6-2 in the other semi-final. World number two remained calm even with a party crowd behind her and demonstrated her powerful forehand and smart game play.
Gauff who won the 2023 US Open is on a mission to win her second Grand Slam title; she also attempts to become the first American since Serena Williams in 2015 who lifts the Suzanne Lenglen Cup. The final match on Saturday between the top two seeds will definitely be a thrilling encounter.
