In a dramatic turn of events at the 2025 French Open, Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 1, ended Iga Swiatek’s remarkable 26-match winning streak at Roland Garros, securing her first-ever final appearance in Paris with a commanding 7-6(1), 4-6, 6-0 victory. The match’s defining moment came in the third set, where Sabalenka delivered a rare 6-0 “bagel” set, halting Swiatek’s quest for a historic fourth consecutive French Open title. In a candid post-match reflection, Swiatek, known for her clay-court dominance, offered an honest assessment of what led to her unraveling against her fiercest rival, revealing both vulnerability and resilience as she looks ahead.
The semifinal clash on Court Philippe-Chatrier was billed as the women’s match of the tournament, pitting the four-time Roland Garros champion against a resurgent Sabalenka, who has been the WTA’s top player since October 2024. The first two sets were a rollercoaster, with both players showcasing their elite skills. Swiatek, seeded fifth, fought back after a tight first-set tiebreak loss, leveling the match by taking the second set 6-4 with her signature heavy topspin and defensive prowess. The crowd, sensing a potential comeback, rallied behind the Pole, who has long been dubbed the “Queen of Clay.” However, Sabalenka’s relentless power and improved clay-court game shifted the momentum decisively in the third set, where she broke Swiatek’s serve at love and raced to a 6-0 shutout in just 29 minutes.
Reflecting on the loss, Swiatek admitted her intensity waned in the decider. “I think I lost my intensity a bit, and she just played, you know, pretty strong… but I couldn’t push back,” she said, pinpointing Sabalenka’s ability to dominate early in the third set as a turning point. Swiatek, who produced 29 winners but was hampered by 35 unforced errors, acknowledged that her failure to seize a break point opportunity in the opening game of the final set allowed Sabalenka to gain confidence. “I had my chances, but I didn’t take them. She was pummeling my forehand, and I couldn’t adjust fast enough,” Swiatek added, highlighting the Belarusian’s aggressive tactics that targeted her normally lethal forehand.
Sabalenka’s performance was a testament to her evolution on clay, a surface where she has historically trailed Swiatek, who led their head-to-head 8-4 overall and 5-1 on clay entering the match. The world No. 1, who has won three Grand Slam titles on hard courts, showcased a refined game, blending her trademark power with newfound variety, including effective drop shots and heavy topspin. “It was tricky to serve with the roof closed, and was different compared to [our] previous matches,” Sabalenka said, crediting her ability to adjust to the conditions. “Third set, oh my God, I mean, win against Iga 6-0 on clay, it’s like something out of mind.” Her dominance in the decider, where she dropped just two points after breaking for 2-0, underscored her growing confidence on the surface. “Almost like my whole life I’ve been told clay is not my thing… I feel really comfortable on this surface and actually enjoy playing on clay,” she added.
Swiatek’s defeat marked her first loss at Roland Garros since 2021 and only her third in 43 career matches at the tournament, where her 40-2 record remains second only to Rafael Nadal’s in terms of efficiency. Despite the setback, Swiatek remained philosophical, noting, “Probably it wasn’t a bad tournament. I love playing here, so for sure I’m happy that I was fortunate enough to play so many great tournaments here.” Her journey to the semifinals included a thrilling comeback against Elena Rybakina in the fourth round, where she battled back from a 6-1, 2-0 deficit, and a straight-sets win over Elina Svitolina, proving her resilience despite a challenging 2025 season. With no titles since her 2024 French Open triumph and a ranking drop to No. 7, Swiatek’s performance in Paris signaled a return to form, even if it fell short of her lofty standards.
The match also highlighted the intense rivalry between Swiatek and Sabalenka, who have defined women’s tennis since 2022. Their 13th career meeting lived up to its billing, with former world No. 9 Andrea Petkovic calling it “the blockbuster of the entire tournament on the women’s side.” Sabalenka’s victory positions her to chase her first Roland Garros title, joining Elena Rybakina as only the second player to defeat Swiatek twice on clay. For Swiatek, the loss stings but offers lessons as she prepares for the grass-court season. “I’m going to have a few days off and then head somewhere in Europe for a decent little pre-season on grass,” she said, eyeing a surface where she has yet to advance beyond Wimbledon’s quarterfinals.
As Sabalenka prepares for the final, Swiatek’s candid reflection underscores her determination to regroup. The tennis world now awaits whether the Polish star can reclaim her dominance, while Sabalenka’s breakthrough on clay signals a new chapter in their storied rivalry.
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