Aryna Sabalenka is in the
Roland Garros (French Open) semi-final after ending the dream run of
Elina Svitolina at the event in two sets 6-4 6-4.
It was a fairly competitive set between the players though it was the better-ranked Sabalenka who managed to win. Elina Svitolina's winning streak is over but she will be proud of making such a run after some shaky performances in the previous week. A trophy and a lot of respect from her peers for the Ukranian who was playing her first
French Open as a mother.
When it comes to Sabalenka, well she continues to do things she's been doing for much of this year. She's beating players she's supposed to beat and that's the mark of a champion. Her biggest challenge will be Iga Swiatek as none of the other players in the draw realistically are playing on the same level as those two.
This one was very competitive and close. Neither player found any chances early on in the match with Sabalenka only using hers towards the end of the set. It was the only break point she had and she used it like a true champion. Now the second set was very interesting. Svitolina opened with a 2-0 lead but then fell off a bit as Sabalenka raised her level to completely turn things around 4-2. That was the decisive moment as Svitolina never found a chance again to make it close.
Sabalenka held her nerve and serve to close out the second set 6-4. A very impressive 30 winners though 37 unforced errors from Sabalenka. Svitolina never managed to impose herself on the game posting 7 winners and 12 unforced errors. Sabalenka will face Karolina Muchova in the semi-final for a chance to take on quite possibly Iga Swiatek in the final.