Aryna Sabalenka Advances to French Open Semifinals
The world number one, Aryna Sabalenka, demonstrated her supremacy by defeating Zheng Qinwen in straight sets, securing her place in the French Open semi-finals for the second time in her career.Sabalenka, who is seeking her first title at Roland-Garros, overcame a difficult start and the challenging weather conditions to win with a score of 7-6 (3), 6-3. This victory extends her favorable record against Zheng to 7-1.
Despite the result, the match was close, with little difference between both players. Sabalenka, however, showed why she is the world number one, making the difference in key points, while Zheng had difficulties with her serve in moments of tension.
Aryna Sabalenka takes another step in search of her first title at the French Open, advancing to the semifinals with a victory on Tuesday.
Sabalenka will seek to reach her sixth Grand Slam final, and her first at Roland-Garros, facing defending champion Iga Swiatek or Elina Svitolina.
The Belarusian tennis player acknowledged that the defeat suffered last month in Rome against Zheng was beneficial, as it allowed her to arrive fresher at the tournament.
Sabalenka, three-time Grand Slam champion, has not yet conceded a set in Paris. Zheng started strong on the Philippe-Chatrier court, achieving an early break and dominating with an aggressive game.I was happy to have lost that match, because I needed a little rest before Roland-Garros. Today, I was fresher. I was ready to fight, ready to leave everything I had on the court to get this victory.
Aryna Sabalenka
However, two double faults in the eighth game allowed Sabalenka to break serve and change the course of the match.
A Zheng error in the twelfth game almost cost him the set, but he managed to save a set point to force a tiebreak. Sabalenka maintained consistency and secured the set after Zheng sent a drop shot out.
Zheng saved a break point with an overhead shot in the fifth game of the second set, but Sabalenka’s powerful backhand cornered her in the next, allowing the top-ranked player to advance 3-2. Zheng didn’t give up without a fight, and broke back immediately, only to lose her last two service games.
The defeat ended Zheng’s 10-match winning streak at Roland-Garros, which dates back to the Olympics last summer.
