Champion Swiatek toppled by late Sabalenka surge

The reign is over. It's a reality that will hit Iga Swiatek as brutally as a thumping forehand return from Aryna Sabalenka, who defeated the French Open champion 7-6, 4-6, 6-0 to reach her first Roland Garros final.

- JAMIE BRAIDWOOD

This is a result that is as emphatic as the final-set scoreline represented: Swiatek's fortress of Court Philippe-Chatrier was stormed; the dream of a record fourth title in a row left in the dust.

Swiatek’s run of 26 consecutive victories at the French Open, the joint-longest streak at a women’s grand slam this century, came crashing down at the hands of the world No 1. In a tense, rollercoaster semi-final that was dominated on the returns, Sabalenka found a higher level to routinely demolish Swiatek’s vulnerable serve in a gripping battle between the two players who have contested for the No 1 ranking over the last three years.

Sabalenka took some blows herself, with an astonishing 11 breaks of serve between both players in the first 15 games of the match, and had to withstand a response from Swiatek in the second set, but the 27-year-old Belarusian underlined her status as the best in the world with the way she went back to picking her opponent’s game apart in the 24-minute final set.

She will look to add her first grand slam title outside of the hard court tournaments and will face Coco Gauff in the final, after the American ended the run of French wildcard Lois Boisson. "Iga is the toughest opponent, especially at Roland Garros, I'm proud I managed to get this win,” Sabalenka said. "It feels incredible but the job is not done yet. I'm thrilled with my performance.”