World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka reaches French Open semi-finals with Zheng Qinwen win, gains revenge for Rome defeat
WTA
Aryna Sabalenka will be in the semi-finals of the French Open after seeing off Zheng Qinwen on Tuesday morning at Roland Garros on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
Sabalenka talked before the match about wanting to gain revenge after losing out to the top Chinese star and eighth seed at the Rome Open. She blamed the defeat on perhaps being tired and it kind of showed in the opposite way in Paris.
It is an 11th career Grand Slam semi-final for Sabalenka who ends a 10-match winning streak at this venue for Zheng who won the Olympic gold medal last July. She reaches the semi-finals for the second time and there won't be a Karolina Muchova type match awaiting her next.
Instead it will potentially be Elina Svitolina or Iga Swiatek so a match if we get the latter that we won't get in the final. Coco Gauff would be the likely opponent from the bottom half for either the World No.1 or the current Queen of Clay.
It was all Zheng in the early knockings of the opening set as she went 3-1 up with a break but Sabalenka loomed and broke for 4-4. She went on to hold and gaining that break back allowed her to surge towards a tie-break. She did have a set point at 6-5 though which would've seen her wrap it up at that point.
But in the tie-break after an incredible set from both it was Sabalenka that sealed it 7-3. The second set saw breaks exchanged in three straight games but it was Sabalenka that came out the better of the exchanges. She held for 5-3.
This saw her gain that extra final surge towards the win as she then broke again on advantage after being 0-40 down in the last game to Zheng who surrendered her advantage to Sabalenka and lost the match from there. Who can stop the World No.1 this week? On this evidence not many.
Match Statistics Sabalenka vs. Zheng
| Sabalenka | VS | Zheng |
|---|---|---|
| Service | ||
| 6 | Aces | 5 |
| 2 | Double Faults | 5 |
| 66% (41/62) | 1st Service Percentage | 59% (45/76) |
| 61% (25/41) | 1st Service Points Won | 62% (28/45) |
| 68% (15/22) | 2nd Service Points Won | 42% (13/31) |
| 0% (0/2) | Break Points Saved | 50% (3/6) |
| 80% (8/10) | Service Games | 70% (7/10) |
| Return | ||
| 38% (17/45) | 1st Return Points Won | 39% (16/41) |
| 58% (18/31) | 2nd Return Points Won | 32% (7/22) |
| - | Break Points Saved | - |
| Other | ||
| 1h 53m | Match Duration | 1h 53m |
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.
claps 0visitors 0
Just In
Popular News
Latest Comments
- I predicted whenthe list was finalised that Linda Noskova would win the WTA Finals and her matches against Gauff and Kostyuk prove that. She is the best (underrated) player in the world!Rapunzel11-11-2026
- Either Lena has a chronic internal ailment (i.e., colitis, enteritis, Crohn's, or some type of lower abdomen issue) -- or she is once again dealing with 'Vukovitis'. Mental stress can indeed cause lower body pains. No matter... whatever is truly going on sucks. "Virus" excuse is getting a bit old -- and often -- at this point.
mandoist09-11-2026 - Ironically, Martina became a U.S. Citizen about the same time as the Orange Convicted Felon & Abuser was just beginning on his road to losing all Daddy's Millions!!mandoist09-11-2026
- "Another fresh start is in the cards." Thanks for the Humor!! I'm guessing this is the minimum one can do to keep all your sponsors hanging-on in perpetuity?mandoist09-11-2026
- Vukov is doing this to Lena... AGAIN!!!!! WTA's autonomous collective should be dismantled for allowing Vukov to re-emerge from his hand-slapping suspension. Just ask WTA employees how that's been going lately as they witness his continued verbal abuses. Women's Pro Tennis should start over.mandoist08-11-2026
- Can't help but suspect Vukov is back to his old self again. Thank you, WTA. Perhaps you can give them a "Battling Couple of the Year Award 2026" ??mandoist08-11-2026
- Wtf? Why is there no reason? And what about the men's?Bel08-11-2026
- One step by another step -- WTA continues to 'lose the plot'. Too many hi-tech microphones being installed at most venues!!! Remove them (especially those along the hallways, sidewalks, and pathways throughout the venues. Not to mention (most of all) remove the mic's from the Players/Coaches Box.mandoist06-11-2026
- Enough of her bullshit. Go marry someone.mandoist06-11-2026
- Don't you just love this young lady!? We fans often expect athletes to be supermen and superwomen, often forgetting that they WILL GET TIRED! I love Alex's perspective. Tiredness for an athlete should never be viewed as a negative, especially if you are healthy, taking care of your body and mental health and putting in the work. What a mature perspective. Good for you, Alex!Rapunzel05-11-2026
