Aryna Sabalenka is in the final. © APA/afp / JULIEN DE ROSA

Sabalenka ends Swiatek's reign in Paris

World number one Aryna Sabalenka has reached the final of the French Open for the first time and at the same time ended Iga Swiatek's reign in Paris.

June 05, 2025

From: dpa

The 27-year-old from Belarus won her semifinal in Paris against the defending champion from Poland 7-6 (7-1), 4-6, 6-0, thus ending Swiatek's impressive winning streak at Stade Roland Garros. The Pole had won the title in the French capital for the past three years and had won a total of 26 consecutive matches.

Sabalenka and Swiatek were on equal terms for about two hours. Sabalenka started furiously, then the Pole fought back before the world number one finally won the first set in a tiebreak. Swiatek improved again in the second set and equalized the set. But then Sabalenka suddenly turned things around and played the perfect third set.

Eliminated: Iga Swiatek © ANSA / MOHAMMED BADRA

"It feels incredible. But the job isn't done yet. I still have to win one more match," said Sabalenka, who has won three Grand Slam tournaments so far.

Gauff in the final

Sabalenka will now face Coco Gauff, who won her only Grand Slam title to date at the 2023 US Open by defeating the Belarusian in the final. The 21-year-old easily eliminated tournament surprise Lois Boisson 6-1, 6-2. The world number 361 had eliminated top-ten players Jessica Pegula and Mirra Andreyeva during the tournament, but was unable to beat Gauff.

Coco Gauff aims for her second Grand Slam title. © ANSA / TERESA SUAREZ

"I know you would have preferred her to win," Gauff said with a smile. "Whenever you called her name, I quietly said my name to myself," the American said after the victory in the quick round. Gauff dispatched the clear underdog in 69 minutes and is in the final for the second time after 2022 in Paris.