Game, set, match — SABALENKA!

New York Times

2 days ago

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The singles quarterfinals are in full swing on day 10 of the 2025 French Open at Roland Garros.
American hope Frances Tiafoe (15) is currently a set down against Lorenzo Musetti (8) on Court Philippe-Chatrier, with compatriot Tommy Paul (12) facing Carlos Alcaraz (2) in the evening session.
Aryna Sabalenka (1) beat Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen (8) in straight sets 7-6(3), 6-3 and will play defending champion Iga Świątek (5), who beat Elina Svitolina (13), 6-1, 7-5, in the semifinals. TV: TNT, truTV, Tennis Channel (U.S.); TNT, Discovery+ (UK)
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Tennis gets the Iga Swiatek vs. Aryna Sabalenka showdown the WTA Tour craved Connections: Sports Edition Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Getty Images
FINAL: Sabalenka 7-6(3), 6-3 Zheng
A beautiful backhand return from Sabalenka proves a catalyst, switching Zheng's service game from 40-0 to deuce.
A Zheng ace is overruled for being a fair way wide and she then loses a brief rally of volleys at the net.
It brings up a first match point…
And that is all she needs. Getty Images
Sabalenka 7-6(3), 5-3* Zheng
It's all a bit scratchy now, as Sabalenka has a relatively straightforward shot to hold at 40-30 but gets caught out — seemingly by the glare of the sun — and gets it all wrong.
It brings the first deuce on the Sabalenka serve in this second set, but it doesn't last long and the run of breaks is over.
The No. 1 seed holds, and is now one game away from the semifinals. Getty Images
Sabalenka 7-6(3), *4-3 Zheng
An unbelievable reflex return from Zheng sees a backhand fly past Sabalenka off a massive second serve. She couldn't believe Zheng did that and applauded the shot.
Then after all that fun, Zheng plays a terrible service game and is broken to love. Sabalenka back in the driving seat after three breaks in a row. Getty Images
Gilles Moretton, FFT president, said that Roland Garros kept line judges because they have the best officials in the world.
Two shots moving incredibly slowly on big points have been called incorrectly. Getty Images
Hawkeye stated that Sabalenka shot was 7mm out — exactly the same margin as Zheng's disputed (and incorrect) call in the first set!
That thing I said about Zheng's backhand down the line...
And that thing I said about electronic line calling. Getty Images
Sabalenka 7-6(3), 3-3* Zheng
Goodness me, what a sensational backhand return from Zheng. That brings up two break points in response and she takes the first — but that owes to Sabalenka firing wide, when she thought the shot was good. It was also called good.
The chair umpire is back down to check and agrees with Zheng to overrule — and while Sabalenka isn't convinced, Hawkeye later backs it up as the right call.
We're back on serve. Getty Images
Was that the decisive moment? Zheng had put Sabalenka under pressure in both her service games this set, but it's the world No. 1 who made the breakthrough.
Sabalenka is now three service holds away from the semifinal. Getty Images
Sabalenka 7-6(3), *3-2 Zheng
You can guess what happens next. Yes. Sabalenka keeps the momentum going with two overpowering points to get her own shot at 0-30.
Zheng delivers a similar response, and it leaves Sabalenka screaming into the stands. It feels like a chance missed.
But Zheng is into the net on the next point and here's a first break point of the second set — soon on Zheng's second serve. The Chinese star saves it brilliantly, finishing with the overhead smash.
She then scoops a shot that swirls wide, and this time it proves one chance too many.
Sabalenka fires the the backhand return winner, as she had been threatening to do all game, and that is the first break in this second set. Getty Images
Sabalenka went 0-30 in her first two service games of the second set.
She didn't really look like losing either.
Sabalenka 7-6(3), 2-2* Zheng
The wind continues to slow Sabalenka's game between points and a fabulous forehand gets Zheng a look at 0-30.
But Sabalenka likes the look of that! Two huge backhands and an ace takes the hope out of Zheng's hands in the blink of an eye.
One more ace then she seals the hold. Ruthless from the No. 1 seed. Deflating for her opponent. Getty Images
Sabalenka 7-6(3), *1-2 Zheng
A first ace of the second set calms things at 30-30 and Zheng is soon over the line with her second hold.
Sabalenka now serving with new balls, after a short delay as Zheng wants a late change of racket.
Zheng had Sabalenka on her heels with two backhands down the line in that game, but she didn't trust herself to pull the trigger on the third — as has happened a couple of times in the set.
On every occasion, choosing to go crosscourt while in front of the baseline has left her stuck on where to move for the next shot, and Sabalenka has taken the open door to escape.
Zheng really isn't enjoying Sabalenka's forehand slice either, whether it's in defense or attack. Getty Images
Sabalenka 7-6(3), 1-1* Zheng
Sabalenka sees off that danger at 0-30 well, although she's also doing it by taking her time over these serves to wait for a gap in the wind.
It is exceeding the shot clock at times and it will be interesting if that gets flagged if it continues. Getty Images
It's key now that Zheng doesn't let Sabalenka build momentum in the early stages of the second set — as she did in the last round against Amanda Anisimova.
There, after a tight opener (7-5 on that occasion) she pinched an early break in the second and built an ultimately unassailable 3-0 lead.
And it's been a good start in that regard from Zheng.
Sabalenka 7-6(3), *0-1 Zheng
Strong response at the start of this second set from Zheng, starting it much like the first set.
She holds to 15 and then gets to 0-30 on the Sabalenka serve…
Here's a breakdown of that opening set, where Zheng's second serve proved a weakness and Sabalenka made the big moments count.
SET 1: Sabalenka 7-6(3) Zheng Points: 44 — 39
— 39 Aces: 4 — 4
4 — 4 Double faults: 1 — 4
— 4 1st serve %: 59 — 52
— 52 Pts won % (1st serve): 64 — 71
(1st serve): 64 — Pts won % (2nd serve): 73 — 45
(2nd serve): — 45 Break pts (won): 2 (1) — (1) 1
2 (1) — (1) 1 Break pts conversion %: 50 — 100
Let's see how the dynamic shifts from here… Getty Images
This has been a heavyweight battle — and Sabalenka takes the first set 7-3 despite trailing in the tiebreak 2-0.
After banging down a huge serve and then an ace for a 6-3 lead, she gave a look to the other side of the net as if to say, that's why I'm the world No. 1.
What have you got? Getty Images
Sabalenka 7-6(3), 0-0* Zheng
An ace and a cry from Sabalenka makes it set point, which is then taken as Zheng races to the net and fires her forehand long — and not for the first time.
Just too many errors in a first set of fine margins from Zheng.
The first set heads to the No. 1 seed.