Aryna Sabalenka beats Iga Swiatek to reach French Open final
– Aryna Sabalenka ended Iga Swiatek's bid for a fourth straight French Open title as the world No. 1 powered her way to a maiden Roland Garros final on June 5.
The Belarusian snapped Swiatek's French Open winning streak at 26 matches with a 7-6 (7-1), 4-6, 6-0 win and will face either second seed Coco Gauff or French surprise hero Lois Boisson for the title on June 7.
'Honestly it feels incredible, but I also understand the job is not done yet,' said Sabalenka.
'I'm just thrilled with my performance today and with the win. The atmosphere in the stadium, thank you so much. It makes us feel amazing, so thank you.
'Iga is the toughest opponent, especially on the clay and at Roland Garros. I'm proud that I was able to get this win. It was a tough match, it was tricky, but I managed it somehow and I'm super proud right now. I'm glad that I found my serve (in the third set]). It was a bit easier with the serve. What can I say, 6-0 – it couldn't be much more perfect than that!'
Sabalenka's power was too much for defending champion Swiatek, who was looking to become the first female player in the Open era since 1968 to win four consecutive titles in Paris.
The 27-year-old has reached the final of her last three Grand Slams – winning the 2024 US Open and losing to Madison Keys in the Australian Open in January – and is the first to do so since Serena Williams in 2016.
Sabalenka edged a topsy-turvy first set that featured eight breaks of serve in a tie-break, before Polish star Swiatek hit back to level the match.
The finale turned out to be a complete anti-climax, as Swiatek made 12 unforced errors in the third set and won only six points.
Sabalenka is targeting a fourth Grand Slam title and first not on hard courts, after winning last season's US Open and the Australian Open back-to-back in 2023 and 2024.
Swiatek has still not reached a WTA final since lifting the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen 12 months ago.
She showed signs of a revival on the Paris clay where she has dominated since lifting the title as a teenager in 2020, but her game deserted her in the deciding set as she slipped to only the third French Open defeat of her career.
Sabalenka has now won their last two meetings, and five of 13 in total. This was the first time the pair, the dominant players in women's tennis of the past few years, have gone head-to-head at a Grand Slam tournament since Swiatek's win in the 2022 US Open semi-finals en route to the title.
Sabalenka will be a strong favourite to lift the trophy when she takes on either Gauff, whom she lost to in the 2023 US Open final, or world No. 361 Boisson.
Earlier in the day, Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori of Italy swept to a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Americans Taylor Townsend and Evan King to claim the mixed doubles crown.
Errani and Vavassori won their second mixed doubles Grand Slam crown, with the first coming at the US Open last season when they also defeated Townsend and her longtime former partner Donald Young.
The Italian duo were tested early in the first set but saved two breakpoints to secure a tight hold at 1-1, before grabbing the decisive break and taking a 4-3 lead when Townsend sent a forehand wide.
They then dialled up the intensity to overwhelm their opponents, twice breaking serve in the second set before Townsend netted a volley to give the third seeds a dominant win.
The American pairing looked disjointed throughout the match and racked up 25 unforced errors, almost three times as many as Errani and Vavassori's nine.
'Thanks to Andrea, to my best friend, it's so much fun to play with you. You're an amazing person and it's so special to be here with you,' said Errani.
The 38-year-old reached the Roland Garros women's singles final in 2012 and has already completed a career Grand Slam in women's doubles, with five Major titles.
She also won Olympic gold in Paris last summer playing with compatriot Jasmine Paolini. AFP, REUTERS
Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Independent Singapore
an hour ago
- Independent Singapore
Aryna Sabalenka ended Queen of Clay Iga Swiatek's dominance at the French Open, says 'the job is not done yet'
PARIS, FRANCE: Aryna Sabalenka has brought an end to Iga Swiatek's dominance on the clay surface as she won the French Open semi-finals. Sabalenka, currently World No. 1, managed to achieve what no one had been able to do in four years as she overcame Swiatek's strong defensive skills with her powerful and determined game. Having their first Grand Slam match since the 2022 US Open, Sabalenka also stopped Swiatek's 26-match winning streak at the tournament, finishing the intense battle with a final scoreline of 7-6 (7-1), 4-6, 6-0. This also marks Sabalenka's first final at Roland-Garros. With this, the athlete expressed: 'Honestly, it feels incredible… I understand the job is not done yet, but I'm thrilled with the performance and this win.' Highlights of the match The match took a turn when Swiatek found her rhythm on the court, winning four games in a row. However, Sabalenka fought back, held her serve, and then gave an impressive forehand on the run to break Swiatek. Sabalenka then took a 6-5 lead. However, as the match progressed, Swiatek's play became much more aggressive and precise, making it tough for Sabalenka to maintain control. Sabalenka regrouped and played a near-perfect tie-break, dropping only one point to win the first set. Both players showcased their skills and strengths. Swiatek started upping her game, coming to the net more often, a rare strategy for her, which yielded great results, b ut in the deciding set, Sabalenka came out as hyped as ever. She gave it her all, and she quickly broke Swiatek's serve to take a 2-0 lead. This shook Swiatek's confidence, and when Sabalenka broke her again, it felt like the match was slipping, already veering away from the defending champion. Swiatek's frustration was evident in her body language as Sabalenka sealed the win, hitting a final backhand winner past Swiatek. With the outcome, Swiatek admitted: '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.' Now, Sabalenka would battle against Coco Gauff, who ended Lois Boisson's run with a 6-1, 6-2 win. In a social media post, Sabalenka shared: 'My first @rolandgarros final, but the job's not done yet.' Netizens showed their support by commenting on the post. They said, 'You have so many fans that believe in you and are rooting for you. Believe in yourself and fight for every single point, and you will be victorious. I love you so much, Aryna! Congratulations 🥺🫶🏽,' 'Reigning Queen of Tennis 🦁🐯🤩I am rooting for you with every ounce possible—just like every ounce of effort you show us!! We are in this together – we love you so much—you got this, Aryna—your team knows you will figure this out! Go get the win! 🏆🏆🏆🏆🥇🥇🥇🥇', 'You can do it! 💪🏻 unstoppable girl 🧡🔥👑,' and 'Proud of you, but the job is indeed not done yet. Bring it home, Aryna ❤️.'
Straits Times
4 hours ago
- Straits Times
Sinner ends Djokovic record bid, to face Alcaraz in French Open final
PARIS - Jannik Sinner battled past Novak Djokovic in a gripping French Open semi-final on June 6 to book a first Grand Slam final meeting with reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz after the Spaniard saw off Lorenzo Musetti. World number one Sinner held off a record-chasing Djokovic with an impressive 6-4, 7-5, 7-6 (7/3) win on Court Philippe Chatrier to reach his maiden Roland Garros final. 'He is the best player in the history of our sport, playing against him here is amazing,' said the 23-year-old Sinner. 'Of course I try to not think about this but before coming on court you feel the tension.' Djokovic showed his trademark fighting qualities in a dramatic contest that lasted three hours and 16 minutes, but three missed set points late in the third set ultimately put paid to his hopes of a comeback. The 38-year-old will next attempt to win a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title at Wimbledon next month. 'Obviously Wimbledon is next, which is my childhood favourite tournament,' said the world number six. 'I'm going to do everything possible to get myself ready. I guess my best chances maybe are Wimbledon, to win another Slam, or faster hard court, maybe Australia or something like that.' Alcaraz earlier booked his place in June 8's final when opponent Musetti retired with a leg injury in the fourth set of their last-four tie. Sinner, who is yet to drop a set in the tournament, will be hoping to gain revenge on Alcaraz after losing to the Spaniard in five sets in the semi-finals last year. Alcaraz has won his last four matches against Sinner, including in the Italian Open final in May when Sinner returned from a three-month doping ban. 'Sunday is going to be very difficult, I know my head-to-head lately doesn't look great against Carlos but let's see what I can do,' added Sinner. Djokovic's exit ensures that a sixth successive major title will be lifted by either Sinner or world number two Alcaraz, in what appears increasingly likely to be a permanent changing of the guard. 'This could have been the last match ever I played here, so I don't know,' said Djokovic. 'I don't know really what tomorrow brings in a way at this point in my career. You know, I'm going to keep on keeping on.' June 8 will see the first Grand Slam final to be played between two men born in the 2000s. Neither Sinner or Alcaraz have ever lost a major final. It is also the first Grand Slam tournament in which the top two seeds will contest both the men's and women's finals since the 2013 US Open, with Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff set to face off for the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen on June 7. Djokovic had his chances, but Sinner consistently proved too strong in the key moments, including when breaking immediately after failing to serve out the second set. The Italian hit 44 winners in total over the gruelling three sets, showing excellent resilience to stave off three set points in the 10th game of the third. Musetti retires injured Earlier, world number two Alcaraz was leading 4-6, 7-6 (7/3), 6-0, 2-0 under the Court Philippe Chatrier roof when Italian Musetti called it quits due to a thigh injury. 'It's never great to go through or win a match when it's like this,' said the 22-year-old. Italy's Lorenzo Musetti plays a forehand return to Spain's Carlos Alcaraz during their men's singles semi-final match. PHOTO: AFP 'He's done an incredible clay season. I wish him all the best, a quick recovery and that he'll be back soon.' Alcaraz will aim to win his fifth Grand Slam title in two days' time. 'It's been three intense weeks and now I have one step to make,' he said. 'I'll give everything on Sunday, I've been playing great tennis this tournament.' Musetti saved break points in the first and seventh games before grabbing a one-set lead with a break in the 10th game. The Spaniard raced through a second-set breaker, though, taking his third set point when Musetti fired an attempted passing shot into the net. Musetti could not deal with the power coming from the other side of the net in the third set and briefly received treatment on his left thigh. Alcaraz went on to romp through the set, in which eighth seed Musetti mustered only five points, in just 22 minutes. Musetti surrendered another break early in the fourth set as Alcaraz thumped a forehand return into the corner, and the 23-year-old immediately headed to the net to shake his opponent's hand. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
CNA
4 hours ago
- CNA
Sinner says rivalry with Alcaraz just the tonic sport needs
PARIS :Jannik Sinner believes his battle for supremacy with fellow French Open finalist Carlos Alcaraz could become the defining rivalry of their era and is something the sport needs with its golden generation of players calling time on their careers. Sinner beat Novak Djokovic 6-4 7-5 7-6(3) in a generational battle on Court Philippe Chatrier to deny his Serbian opponent a record 25th Grand Slam and leave him unsure whether he will ever return to Roland Garros, where he has won three major trophies. The 23-year-old Italian, who is seeking his fourth Grand Slam title, booked a mouth-watering meeting with his main rival Carlos Alcaraz, who will aim to retain his crown at Roland Garros and add a fifth major crown to his trophy cabinet. With Djokovic now the only active member of tennis' Big Four that also included Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal and Andy Murray and yielded a collective 69 major titles in more than two decades, Sinner sensed an opportunity for himself and Alcaraz. "It takes time to compare us with the Big Three or Big Four, no? Only time can tell, to be honest," Sinner told reporters. "For sure, from my point of view, he's a player who makes me a better player. He pushes me to the limit. We try to understand where we have to improve, for the next times I play against him. "I believe that tennis or every sport needs rivalries. This could be potentially one of them, but there are amazing players coming up. There can be so many different and other players joining or one drops. You never know." Sunday's clash on Court Philippe Chatrier will mark only the 12th time that Sinner and Alcaraz have faced off, with the 22-year-old Spaniard looking for a fifth straight victory over his opponent to successfully defend his title. Djokovic said the pair would have to keep going to match the rivalry that he had with Federer, Nadal and Murray. "At the moment, that's hard, because they need to play against each for at least 10-plus years non-stop in order to be part of the same discussion," Djokovic added. "But they're definitely great for tennis, both of them. I think their rivalry is something our sport needs." Sinner said he and Alcaraz had a similar aura and could get more fans interested in the sport. "He's a player with charisma, with that aura," Sinner said. "The moment he steps on court, you can feel his presence. In the end, that's exactly what tennis needs. The more people like that, the more players like that, the better.
