Top seed Aryna Sabalenka battles past Zheng Qinwen to reach French Open semis

PARIS – World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka ended Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen’s winning streak on the Paris clay with a straight-set victory on June 3 to seal herself a spot in the French Open semi-finals.

The top seed from Belarus won through 7-6 (7-3),6-3 against the Chinese eighth seed in just under two hours on Court Philippe-Chatrier, and will next play three-time defending champion Iga Swiatek of Poland for a place in the final.

The 27-year-old Sabalenka fought back after struggling in the first set against Zheng, who had beaten her in the last eight on clay in Rome in May, extending her record against the Chinese player to 7-1.

“The last tournament I was pretty exhausted,” said Sabalenka.

“Honestly, I was actually glad that I lost that match because I needed a little break before Roland Garros.”

Sabalenka once again got the upper hand over Zheng, who had been on a winning streak of 10 matches on the Paris clay after her run to Olympic gold last summer.

Zheng broke and led 4-2 in the first set. But numerous unforced errors – 31 in total – allowed the Belarusian to come back.

The second set was also tight before Sabalenka broke back to lead 4-3, taking advantage of her opponent’s errors.

Sabalenka converted her first match point on a poorly controlled drop shot from Zheng to reach her seventh semi-final of the season.

“That was a true battle. Honestly I have no idea how I was able to break her back and get back in the first set,” added Sabalenka.

“I was just trying to fight and I was just trying to put as many balls as I could back in. I didn’t start well, but I’m really glad I found my rhythm and won this match. It