Sabalenka ends Zheng’s winning streak to reach French Open semifinals

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka powered past Zheng Qinwen in straight sets on Tuesday, halting the Chinese star's 10-match winning streak on Paris clay to secure her spot in the French Open semifinals. The Belarusian triumphed 7-6(3), 6-3 in a high-intensity quarter-final clash, avenging her previous loss to Zheng in Rome last month.

Sabalenka, the tournament’s top seed and a three-time Grand Slam champion, displayed her trademark resilience after going down 2-4 in the first set. Zheng, the reigning Olympic gold medalist, appeared in strong form early on but was undone by 31 unforced errors, allowing Sabalenka to rally and dominate key moments.

“Today I was more fresh, I was ready to battle, to fight, and give everything,” Sabalenka said after the match. “Honestly, I was actually glad that I lost that match [in Rome] because I needed a little break before Roland Garros.”

The second set remained tightly contested until Sabalenka broke serve at 3-3, capitalizing on Zheng’s misfires. A poorly executed drop shot from Zheng on match point sealed her fate, handing Sabalenka a place in her seventh semifinal of the season and 11th career Grand Slam semifinal.

This is Sabalenka’s second consecutive semifinal appearance at Roland Garros, following her 2023 campaign that ended in a tight three-set defeat to Karolina Muchova.

“We’re all here for one reason — everyone wants that beautiful trophy,” said the 2024 Madrid Open champion. “I’m really glad I have another opportunity, another semifinal, to do better than I did last time.”

Sabalenka, who has captured titles at the Australian Open in 2023 and 2024, as well as the 2023 US Open, continues her pursuit of a maiden French Open crown.

SportsLigue