In a breathtaking semifinal, Sabalenka stuns Swiatek, halting her impressive 26-match Paris streak. Explore the key moments and expert insights here.
A Rivalry Reaches New Heights in Paris
On a dramatic Thursday at Roland Garros, world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka delivered the performance of her clay-court career, defeating four-time champion Iga Swiatek 7-6(1), 4-6, 6-0 to reach her first French Open final and end Swiatek’s 26-match winning streak at the tournament. In a match that will be remembered as one of the most significant in recent women’s tennis history, Sabalenka asserted her status as the sport’s preeminent force, breaking through on the Paris clay where Swiatek has been nearly untouchable for half a decade. See also: Aryna Sabalenka Battles Past Zheng Qinwen
First Set: Tension, Momentum Swings, and a Statement Tiebreak
Sabalenka, already a three-time Grand Slam champion but never before a finalist in Paris, came out firing, racing to a 3-0 lead as her power and aggression put Swiatek on the defensive. Yet, the Polish star, who had dropped only one set all tournament, showed her trademark resilience, clawing her way back into the set and forcing a tiebreak after a series of break exchanges. See also: Iga Swiatek’s Clay-Court Dominance Continues
The tiebreak was where Sabalenka made her first emphatic statement. She dominated from the outset, racing to a 7-1 win in the breaker, her groundstrokes finding the corners and her serve holding up under pressure. Swiatek, usually so composed in these moments, appeared rattled as Sabalenka’s intensity and precision took control of the match.
Second Set: Swiatek Strikes Back
If there was any doubt about Swiatek’s fighting spirit, she erased it in the second set. The defending champion responded with her best tennis, breaking Sabalenka early and holding her nerve in a series of tense, extended rallies. Sabalenka, for the first time in the match, was forced onto the back foot, growing increasingly vocal with her box as Swiatek’s relentless defense and counterpunching began to turn the tide.
Swiatek took the set 6-4, leveling the match and igniting the crowd’s hopes for a classic decider. The set was marked by its unpredictability—there were 11 breaks of serve in the first 23 games, as both players struggled to consolidate their advantages and the tension mounted with every point. The momentum seemed to be shifting, and Swiatek’s record at Roland Garros suggested she might once again find a way to escape.
Third Set: Sabalenka Unleashes
But in the final set, Sabalenka found another gear. She broke Swiatek in the opening game and, unlike earlier in the match, consolidated her lead with a pair of quick holds. From there, the Belarusian was unstoppable, reeling off six straight games in just 24 minutes to close out the match 6-0. Swiatek, who had so often been the one to dominate late in matches at Roland Garros, had no answers as Sabalenka’s power, precision, and confidence overwhelmed her. See also: Coco Gauff Ends Boisson’s Fairytale
Sabalenka’s final-set performance was a statement of intent: she struck winners from both wings, served with authority, and refused to let Swiatek back into the contest. The world No. 1 finished the match with a flurry of forehand winners, sealing her place in Saturday’s final and ending Swiatek’s reign on the Paris clay.
The End of an Era—and the Start of Another?
Swiatek’s defeat is her first at Roland Garros since 2021, and only her third ever at the tournament, ending a remarkable run that included four titles in five years and a 26-match win streak. Her dominance on clay has been the defining story of women’s tennis in recent seasons, but Sabalenka’s breakthrough signals a new era of rivalry at the very top of the game. See also: Coco Gauff’s Dramatic Comeback Crowns Her French Open
For Sabalenka, this victory is more than just a personal milestone. It is her fifth Grand Slam final in her last six appearances, her first on clay, and a chance to claim a fourth major title—one that would bring her within one of Swiatek’s total and complete the third leg of a career Grand Slam. “It feels incredible, but the job is not finished yet,” Sabalenka said on court. “Iga is an exceptionally challenging opponent, particularly here at Roland Garros, so I am proud to have achieved this victory”.
Tactical Brilliance and Physical Prowess
The match was a showcase of the modern women’s game at its highest level. Both players returned better than they served in the first two sets, with a combined 11 breaks of serve in the opening 23 games. Sabalenka’s ability to absorb Swiatek’s heavy topspin and redirect it with pace was crucial, as was her improved movement and willingness to mix in drop shots and angles on the clay.
Swiatek, for her part, showed flashes of the brilliance that has made her the “Queen of Clay,” but she struggled to maintain her level in the face of Sabalenka’s relentless assault. The final set, in particular, was a physical and mental test that Sabalenka passed with flying colors.
What’s Next: A Shot at History
Sabalenka will now face either Coco Gauff or French wildcard Lois Boisson in Saturday’s final. She will enter as the favorite, regardless of opponent, and with the confidence of having finally conquered her greatest rival on the sport’s most demanding surface. For Swiatek, the loss is a setback, but her legacy at Roland Garros is already secure, and the rivalry with Sabalenka is poised to define the next era of women’s tennis.
Conclusion: A Semifinal for the Ages
Aryna Sabalenka’s 7-6(1), 4-6, 6-0 victory over Iga Swiatek in the 2025 French Open semifinals was more than just an upset; it was a passing of the torch moment on the Paris clay. With power, poise, and tactical brilliance, Sabalenka ended one of the great streaks in tennis and moved to within one match of her first Roland Garros crown. As the tennis world turns its eyes to Saturday’s final, a new chapter in women’s tennis is being written—one defined by rivalry, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of greatness.