Sabalenka and Swiatek set for French Open semi final blockbuster

PARIS - The French Open womens singles semi-finals take centre stage at Roland Garros on Thursday, when world number one Aryna Sabalenka meets four-times champion Iga Swiatek in a match worthy of a title clash.

In the other last-four encounter, wildcard Lois Boisson will look to continue her inspired run on home soil when she plays 2022 runner-up Coco Gauff.

SABALENKA, SWIATEK SET FOR BLOCKBUSTER

Belarusian Sabalenka has been the poster girl for Grand Slam consistency in the last few years, storming into the semi-finals in nine of the last 10 majors she has competed in to emerge as a genuine threat to Swiateks supremacy on Parisian clay.

The 27-year-old top seeds growing composure and mental fortitude on the biggest stage means that the wobbles she once experienced have become distant memories, while her retooled serve and power can blow away opponents on any surface.

She has harnessed all those qualities during her run to the last four without conceding a set, dismantling Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen 7-6(3) 6-3 in the last round.

Swiatek, who is on a 26-match winning run at the French Open, represents the biggest test in Sabalenkas bid to win a maiden Roland Garros title and add more silverware to her trophy cabinet that contains U.S. and Australian Open crowns.

Having locked down the top ranking since April 2022, the duo renew their rivalry having become a little closer after making a TikTok video at last years season-ending WTA Finals in Riyadh and practising together thereafter.

Before, there wasnt any communication or any practice with her, but now were getting better. We get along and we practise more often. We know each other well, Sabalenka said.

Weve had a lot of great battles in the past ... Im super excited to go out there and to