Following today’s French Open quarter-finals, the stage is set for a slobberknocker of a last-four match between Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek.
Swiatek is on a huge winning streak at Roland Garros and is looking to win a fourth consecutive title at this event that she simply loves playing at.
As for Sabalenka, she is hoping to reach a very first final at the French Open, having now matched her previous best at this event in 2023 when she was stunned by Karolina Muchova at this stage.
The Belarusian player will be desperate to get one over Swiatek, having lost eight of the 12 meetings between the two stars of the game.
Aryna Sabalenka sends message to Iga Swiatek ahead of semi-final
This promises to be a real clash of the titans and in some respects, it’s a bit of a shame that it’s not going to be a final.
Sabalenka and Swiatek have been the standout players in the draw so far, and the fact that they’re both in brilliant form should make this an amazing match.
Sabalenka has delivered some fighting talk to her opponent, and it’s going to be fascinating to see how the duo approach this match.
In her post-match press conference, she said: “It has always been a great battle against her. I think, especially on a clay court, when she has a bit of extra time, and physically she is really, really strong.
“She is moving really well, so I think that is the biggest challenge to work for every point.
“Sometimes you have to work really hard to get each point against her. It has always been challenging, so I am excited to face her and I am ready to go and ready to fight and do everything that I have to do to get the win.”
French Open winner will likely come from Sabalenka vs Swiatek
Although Swiatek came into this tournament scratching around for some form, her brilliance at this event has never been in question.
It’s a shame that she has to face the world’s best player in the semi-final but what a match that waits in store for the fans on Thursday.
Sabalenka’s powerful approach, trying to combat the energetic nature of Swiatek, makes the match fascinating, and it could give us a big clue about the winner of the tournament.
Nothing against the likes of Coco Gauff, Madison Keys, Mirra Andreeva or Lois Boisson, but Swiatek and Sabalenka are some way ahead of those players in terms of form right now.
It’s great that Sabalenka has started the fighting talk early, and hopefully, this semi-final can see the two players go toe-to-toe for three sets of superb tennis.
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