Sabalenka dethrones four times champion Swiatek to reach French Open final

PARIS - World number one Aryna Sabalenka battled past four-times champion Iga Swiatek to reach her first French Open final on Thursday with a 7-6(1) 4-6 6-0 victory that ended the Poles reign in Paris and snapped her 26-game winning streak in the tournament.

The Belarusians power proved too much for the defending champion, who was looking to become the first female player in the Open era since 1968 to win four consecutive titles in Paris.

Swiatek had won the previous three editions along with her maiden crown in 2020

The top seed will now play either Frances Lois Boisson, the first player in the Open Era to reach this stage of the French Open as a wildcard, or second-seeded American Coco Gauff in Saturdays showcase match.

Honestly, it feels incredible but I understand the job is not done yet. Im just thrilled today with this win and the atmosphere, Sabalenka said.

Shes the toughest opponent, especially on clay, especially at Roland Garros. It was a tough match it was a tricky match but I managed.

Sabalenka, playing her second French open semi-final and seeking her first title in Paris, powered into a 3-0 lead, twice breaking the Pole. She kept attacking her opponents serve with Swiatek winning just 35% of her points on her second serve.

Swiatek, who late last year accepted a one-month doping ban and came into the tournament without a single title win this season, had reached the semi-finals dropping just one set in five matches. But she looked completely out of sorts.

With seven unforced errors in the first three games she was playing catchup from the start.

The Pole, struggled with her serve and had racked up two double faults by the fifth game.

She gradually, however, found her range and precision, countering Sabalenkas