Aryna Sabalenka rewrote her clay-court narrative in dramatic fashion Thursday, dethroning three-time defending champion Iga Swiatek 7-6(1), 4-6, 6-0 at Roland Garros. The world No. 2's relentless power game shattered Swiatek's 26-match French Open winning streak, setting up a championship clash with American star Coco Gauff that will crown a new Parisian queen.
Sabalenka, long considered a hardcourt specialist, silenced critics by adapting her explosive baseline game to the red dirt. "My whole life, people said clay wasn't my thing," the Belarusian revealed post-match, clay still clinging to her shoes. "Now I feel comfortable here – maybe even dangerous."
The semifinal's pivotal moment came in a 20-minute opening-set tiebreak where Sabalenka unleashed 12 winners. Though Swiatek claimed the second set, the Pole appeared physically drained in the decider, winning just 11 points across the final six games.
Gauff secured her finals berth more comfortably, defeating French wildcard Loïs Boisson 6-1, 6-2. The 2022 runner-up now seeks redemption after losing her previous Roland Garros final to Swiatek. Saturday's showdown marks the first French Open final between the WTA's top two players since 2013.
This historic matchup carries broader significance for Asian sports enthusiasts, highlighting tennis' growing global appeal. With both finalists having strong regional fanbases – particularly Gauff's popularity across Asian diaspora communities – the event underscores Asia's deepening connections to international sporting narratives.
