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The top-ranked woman in the French Open is heading to the semifinals. Aryna Sabalenka reached the final four at the event Tuesday after defeating Qinwen Zheng in straight sets.
Zheng didn't go down without a fight, forcing a tiebreak in the first set.
Sabalenka was able to pull through, taking the first set 7-6. She seemed to find her stride at that point, cruising to a 6-3 win in the second set to win the match.
While Sabalenka played a strong game, unforced errors from Zheng aided in the win. Zheng registered 31 unforced errors in the loss. Sabalenka had just 18.
The win pushes Sabalenka into the French Open semifinals for just the second time in her career. She also reached the semis in 2023, where she lost to Karolína Muchová. Despite her No. 1 ranking, Sabalenka has never won the French Open. She's come close in recent years. Following her semifinal appearance in 2023, Sabalenka made it to the quarterfinals in 2024. Those two appearances are the closest she's come to winning the event.
Her quest to win the event will only get harder from here. Sabalenka will take on the winner of Iga Swiatek and Elina Svitolina in the semifinals. Swiatek has the head-to-head advantage over their careers, winning eight of 12 matches she's played against Sabalenka.
If Svitolina advances, Sabalenka could have the edge. She's beaten Svitolina in five of six head-to-head matches.
This story will be updated.
Continue reading...
Zheng didn't go down without a fight, forcing a tiebreak in the first set.
Sabalenka was able to pull through, taking the first set 7-6. She seemed to find her stride at that point, cruising to a 6-3 win in the second set to win the match.
While Sabalenka played a strong game, unforced errors from Zheng aided in the win. Zheng registered 31 unforced errors in the loss. Sabalenka had just 18.
The win pushes Sabalenka into the French Open semifinals for just the second time in her career. She also reached the semis in 2023, where she lost to Karolína Muchová. Despite her No. 1 ranking, Sabalenka has never won the French Open. She's come close in recent years. Following her semifinal appearance in 2023, Sabalenka made it to the quarterfinals in 2024. Those two appearances are the closest she's come to winning the event.
Her quest to win the event will only get harder from here. Sabalenka will take on the winner of Iga Swiatek and Elina Svitolina in the semifinals. Swiatek has the head-to-head advantage over their careers, winning eight of 12 matches she's played against Sabalenka.
If Svitolina advances, Sabalenka could have the edge. She's beaten Svitolina in five of six head-to-head matches.
This story will be updated.
Continue reading...
