Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek are set to renew their intense rivalry in the semi-finals of the French Open, marking a significant moment as both players continue to dominate women’s tennis. Sabalenka, currently the world No. 1, defeated the eighth seed Zheng Qinwen in straight sets, 7-6(3), 6-3, ending Zheng’s impressive 10-match winning streak at Roland Garros. Meanwhile, Swiatek, a four-time Roland Garros champion, overcame Elina Svitolina 6-1, 7-5 to extend her remarkable winning streak at the tournament to 26 consecutive matches.
Sabalenka’s journey to the last four has been consistent, reaching the semi-finals or better in nine of her past ten Grand Slam tournaments. Her only previous exit in this stretch was a quarter-final loss in Paris last year due to food poisoning. Her recent win over Zheng was particularly meaningful, as Zheng had beaten her for the first time just weeks earlier at the Italian Open. Showing mental toughness and composure, Sabalenka fought back from a break down in the first set to win the crucial tie-break and then controlled the second set with authority.
Swiatek’s path has been equally impressive. After a tough fourth-round match against Elena Rybakina, where she came back from a significant deficit, Swiatek’s confidence appears to be soaring. Her victory over Svitolina, who applied heavy pressure with aggressive play on a windy day, demonstrated Swiatek’s focus and ability to perform in critical moments. With just two wins away from becoming the first woman in the Open era to claim the French Open title four years consecutively, Swiatek is poised to continue making history.
The upcoming semi-final will be their 13th meeting overall. Swiatek currently leads their head-to-head 8-4. Their rivalry has already produced memorable matches, including a thrilling three-set final at the Madrid Open last year, which Swiatek won 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(7). However, this will be their first meeting at Roland Garros in the semi-final stage. Their only prior Grand Slam encounter was in the 2022 US Open semi-final, where Swiatek prevailed.
Both players acknowledge the importance of their rivalry beyond just the matches. Sabalenka highlighted how their relationship has evolved from little interaction to regular practice sessions and better communication, which has only intensified the competition on court. She expressed excitement about the high-level battles ahead and her determination to fight for the win.
Swiatek echoed this sentiment, noting that their rivalry pushes them to elevate their games. She emphasized that their competition extends beyond tennis skills to their professionalism and work ethic, which fuels their mutual improvement. This rivalry is becoming a defining feature of women’s tennis in recent years.
Despite the high stakes and quality of tennis on display, the tournament’s scheduling choices have drawn criticism. Neither player has been featured in the evening sessions on the main stadium court, Court Philippe-Chatrier, where prime-time matches typically draw larger audiences. Instead, women’s matches have been scheduled mostly as the early matches of the day, when crowds tend to be sparse and less engaged.
Sabalenka voiced her frustration about the lack of equal treatment for women players at Roland Garros, arguing that their intense and exciting matches deserve bigger stages and better time slots to reach more fans. She believes that featuring women’s matches during night sessions would increase attendance and exposure, showcasing the quality and excitement of the women’s game.
With two of the most successful and powerful players in women’s tennis facing off in the semi-finals, all eyes will be on this high-profile clash. The winner will not only move closer to the coveted French Open title but will also assert dominance in one of the sport’s most captivating rivalries. This semi-final promises to deliver thrilling, high-quality tennis and a showcase of resilience, skill, and fierce competition at one of the sport’s most prestigious tournaments.
