By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka ends Iga Swiatek’s bid for a fourth consecutive crown in 7-6 (1), 4-6, 6-0 semi-final victory at French Open.
A three-time grand slam champion on hard courts, Sabalenka finally made her first final on the red dirt of Roland Garros.
After a slow start at Roland Garros, Swiatek fought back to level but Sabalenka dominated a 24-minute deciding set.
“It feels incredible but the job is not done yet. I’m thrilled with my performance,” said the 27-year-old.
“Iga is the toughest opponent, especially at Roland Garros, I’m proud I managed to get this win.”
Sabalenka’s powerful, deep returns unsettled 24-year-old Swiatek at the start as she raced into a 3-0 lead with two breaks.
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.
The quality increased in the second set, so much so that any slight mistake from one player was brutally punished by the other.
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.
Top seed Sabalenka will face either American second seed Coco Gauff or French wildcard Lois Boisson in Saturday’s final.
Gauff, a finalist in 2022, is the heavy favourite against Boisson, who began the event ranked 361st in the world and is appearing in her first Grand Slam main draw.