Sabalenka weathers Zheng storm to reach French Open semi finals

PARIS - World number one Aryna Sabalenka recovered from a slow start to systematically dismantle Paris Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen in a 7-6(3) 6-3 victory on Tuesday that sent her into the French Open semi-finals.

Sabalenka suffered her first loss to Zheng in seven career meetings in the Rome quarter-finals last month and she went behind early in the opening set at a half-full Court Philippe Chatrier.

It was a true battle and I had no idea how I could break her back and get back into the first set. I didnt start well and Im glad I found my rhythm and won, said Sabalenka, who took a step closer to her maiden French Open title.

I think were all here for one reason. Everyone wants that beautiful trophy. Im glad I have another opportunity, another semi-final to do better than last time.

I really hope that by the end of the claycourt season Im really proud of myself.

Chinas Zheng, bidding to emulate compatriot Li Nas 2011 triumph at Roland Garros, crushed a powerful forehand winner to break for a 2-1 lead but Sabalenka moved through the gears to level five games later and was denied on set point while up 6-5.

The 27-year-old top seed shrugged off the disappointment to glide through the tiebreak when errors crept into eighth seed Zhengs game before the players swapped breaks in a high octane second set.

A huge forehand winner put Sabalenka 5-3 up and the three-times Grand Slam champion never looked back as she set up a last-four meeting with either 13th seed Elina Svitolina or four-times champion Iga Swiatek. REUTERS

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