Aryna Sabalenka ends Iga Swiatek's French Open reign in semi-final rollercoaster
Iga Swiatek's reign as the queen of clay was ended by Aryna Sabalenka in the semi-finals of the French Open.
The irresistible force beat the immovable object as runaway world number one Sabalenka inflicted the four-time champion's first defeat at the tournament in four years.
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In the first meeting between the WTA's two most dominant players at a grand slam since the 2022 US Open, Swiatek's run of 26 consecutive victories at the Paris grand slam was halted in a 7-6 (1) 4-6 6-0 defeat.
FIRST ROLAND-GARROS FINAL FOR SABALENKA ✅👊
#RolandGarros
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— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros)
June 5, 2025
A three-time grand slam champion on hard courts, Sabalenka finally made her first final on the red dirt of Roland Garros.
After a match which would have graced the final – and it probably would have been had Swiatek's ranking not slipped to five – Sabalenka said: 'Honestly it feels incredible.
'I understand the job is not done yet but I'm thrilled with the performance and this win.'
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Sabalenka's powerful, deep returns unsettled 24-year-old Swiatek at the start as she raced into a 3-0 lead with two breaks.
Iga Swiatek's French Open reign is over (Lindsey Wasson/AP)
The Belarusian thought she had served an ace for a 5-1 lead, only for a let call from umpire Kader Nouni, who felt it had flicked the net cord.
The momentum suddenly shifted with Swiatek winning four successive games, before Sabalenka held and then produced a stunning forehand winner on the run to break for 6-5.
She could not hold, though, with Swiatek's returns now doing considerable damage, but Sabalenka regrouped impressively to take the tie-break for the concession of just one point.
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The quality increased in the second set, so much so that any slight mistake from one player was brutally punished by the other.
Iga Swiatek levels the match! 💪
The defending champion roars back, taking the second set 6–4 against Aryna Sabalenka. All square in this Roland-Garros semi-final thriller!
#RolandGarros
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— TNT Sports (@tntsports)
June 5, 2025
Polish star Swiatek was making far more forays to the net than usual, and it paid off when a perfect cushioned volley into the corner levelled the match.
Sabalenka's levels – including her noise levels – moved up a notch again in the decider and the 27-year-old drew first blood with a break for 2-0.
A second break knocked the stuffing out of the defending champion, who looked resigned to her fate long before Sabalenka's final backhand winner flew past her.
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Swiatek, now without a single title to her name – her last was Roland Garros 12 months ago – said: ' I love playing here, so for sure I'm happy that I was fortunate enough to play so many great tournaments here.
'Even this one, you know, I feel like I played better than in the weeks before. I'm just happy that I have this place to come back to every year and just try to push myself.'
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