ESPN News Services
Jun 5, 2025, 11:45 AM ET
No. 1-ranked Aryna Sabalenka ended Iga Swiatek's 26-match French Open winning streak and reached the final in Paris for the first time by winning a back-and-forth semifinal 7-6 (1), 4-6, 6-0 on Thursday.
Sabalenka's victory prevented Swiatek from becoming the first woman to win four consecutive championships at the clay-court Grand Slam tournament since professionals were admitted in 1968.
It also gives Sabalenka a chance to win her fourth major title -- and first away from hard courts, after two at the Australian Open and one at the US Open.
Sabalenka will face No. 2 Coco Gauff or 361st-ranked French wild-card entry Lois Boisson in the final Saturday.
"Honestly, it feels incredible, but I understand the job is not done yet. I'm just thrilled today with this win and the atmosphere," Sabalenka said. "She's the toughest opponent, especially on clay, especially at Roland Garros. It was a tough match, it was a tricky match, but I managed."
The 27-year-old from Belarus took the top WTA ranking from Swiatek in October. She has reached the final at three straight Grand Slams, becoming the first woman to do so since Serena Williams in 2016 (Australian, French, Wimbledon).
Most remarkable, perhaps, was the way Sabalenka -- her back dotted with flecks of the rust-colored clay -- dominated in crunch time, racing through the last set.
With the Court Philippe-Chatrier roof closed on a drizzly day, there was no wind or other elements for the players to confront, and both produced some terrific tennis for stretches. But in the end, the difference was that when Sabalenka decided to swing away, she rushed Swiatek into mistakes.
The third set included 12 unforced errors off Swiatek's racket and zero off Sabalenka's.
"It could not be more perfect than that," Sabalenka said of her third-set performance. "I'm super proud right now. I'm glad I found my serve."
This continues a rough stretch for Swiatek, a 24-year-old from Poland, who has not reached a final at any tournament since walking away with her third trophy in a row -- and fifth Grand Slam title overall -- from Paris 12 months ago. She recently slid to No. 5 in the rankings.
Her rut includes a surprising exit in the semifinals at the 2024 Summer Olympics, which were contested at Roland-Garros; she ended up with the bronze medal. Later last season, she was banned for a month after testing positive for a banned substance; her explanation was accepted that the result was unintentional and caused by a contaminated medicine.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
