Sabalenka books second Roland-Garros semi-final spot
The Belarusian gained revenge over the Olympic champion for her defeat by her in Rome last month
Aryna Sabalenka, Roland-Garros 2025 | © Michtof / PsNewz
World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka secured her second career appearance in the Roland-Garros semi-finals by defeating China’s Qinwen Zheng in the opening match of the day on Court Philippe-Chatrier, Tuesday (7-6, 6-3). It’s also her 11th major semifinal overall.
Sabalenka, who lost to Zheng earlier this month in Rome (6-4, 6-3), took revenge on the player she had previously beaten in the 2024 Australian Open final.
Last year, Sabalenka exited Roland-Garros at this stage of the competition, defeated by the young Mirra Andreeva after a gruelling match: an anomaly in her record, as she has reached the semi-finals in nine of her last 10 Grand Slam tournaments.
“It was a true battle and I had no idea how I could break her back and get back into the first set. I didn’t start well and I’m glad I found my rhythm and won,” said Sabalenka to the crowd.
Zheng leads overall, is overhauled
Zheng, the No. 8 seed, put up a strong fight in the opening set, breaking early to take a 3-1 lead. However, the world No 1 levelled at 4-4 and went on to claim the tiebreak.
“I think my game plan went quite well, but it’s just that I got tight, Zheng said. “I gave many easy mistake when I was leading in the first set. I was not able today to stick on to do my game plan, from the beginning until the end. Too many easy unforced errors, yeah.
In the second set, Zheng struggled to handle Sabalenka’s intensity, particularly on her second serve, which the Belarusian consistently attacked.
Sabalenka’s consistency
Sabalenka broke Zheng’s serve three times in the second set to clinch her seventh semi-final of the season on the WTA Tour, and her second at Roland-Garros. In 2023, she was narrowly defeated by Karolína Muchová in the semi-finals — one of the toughest losses of her career.
Sabakenka added: “I think we’re all here for one reason. Everyone wants that beautiful trophy. I’m glad I have another opportunity, another semi-final to do better than last time.
“I really hope that by the end of the claycourt season I’m really proud of myself.”
She will play four-time champion Iga Swiatek in the semi-finals.
