Swiatek Happy For Sabalenka Challenge

Pole beats Svitolina to set up clash with top seed who prevails in "battle" against Zheng

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PARIS — World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka ended Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen's winning streak on the Paris clay with a straight-set victory on June 3 to seal a spot in the French Open semifinals.

The top seed from Belarus beat the Chinese eighth seed 7-6 (7-3), 6-3 in just under two hours on Court Philippe-Chatrier, and will next play three-time defending champion Iga Swiatek of Poland for a place in the final.

The 27-year-old Sabalenka fought back after struggling in the first set against Zheng, who had beaten her in the last eight on clay in Rome in May, extending her record against the Chinese player to 7-1.

"The last tournament I was pretty exhausted," said Sabalenka. "Honestly, I was actually glad that I lost that match because I needed a little break before Roland Garros."

Sabalenka once again got the upper hand over Zheng, who had been on a winning streak of 10 matches on the Paris clay after her run to Olympic gold last summer.

Zheng broke and led 4-2 in the first set. But numerous unforced errors — 31 in total — allowed the Belarusian to come back.