Aryna Sabalenka delivers a thrilling upset over Iga Swiatek in the 2025 French Open women’s semifinal on June 5, advancing to the final. Discover the match highlights, fan reactions, and what’s next for the world No. 1 as she chases her first clay-court Grand Slam.
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka powered past three-time defending champion Iga Swiatek in a gripping women’s semifinal at the 2025 French Open on June 5, securing her spot in the Roland Garros final. The Belarusian’s commanding performance, marked by a 6-4, 7-6(3) victory, ended Swiatek’s reign on the Paris clay and positioned Sabalenka one win from her first French Open title. Here’s the latest on this electrifying match and what it means for Sabalenka’s career.
Sabalenka’s Breakthrough Victory
The highly anticipated clash at Court Philippe-Chatrier lived up to its billing, with Sabalenka outhitting Swiatek in a tense two-set battle. She landed a critical blow in the first set with a huge backhand return, breaking Swiatek to clinch it 6-4. The second set went to a tiebreak, where Sabalenka’s aggressive serving and net defense shone, sealing a 7-3 tiebreak win after Swiatek’s missed forehand. BBC Sport’s live commentary noted Sabalenka’s “exceptional power and finesse,” highlighting her ability to stay composed under pressure despite early frustration in rallies. This marks her second Grand Slam final, following her 2023 Australian Open title.
Key Moments and Stats
Sabalenka’s dominance was evident in her 17-2 record on clay this season, with nine wins in her last 10 matches, per X posts. She fired 36 winners to Swiatek’s 22, leveraging her 67-12 record over the past 52 weeks. A pivotal moment came in the second set at 0-30, where Swiatek’s attempt to force a break point faltered against Sabalenka’s “best serve yet,” as BBC Sport reported. The crowd’s energy, described as “feisty” and vocal, added to the drama, with Sabalenka thriving despite their support for Swiatek. Her ability to mix power with tactical drop shots, though occasionally mistimed, kept Swiatek on the defensive.
Fan and Social Media Buzz
The tennis world erupted on X, with fans like @tennisywilliams declaring Sabalenka “immeasurably close to the career slam” and cementing her as the world’s best player. @TennisCouchTalk praised her “great serving, net defense, and volleying,” noting she didn’t back down when Swiatek raised her level. Posts celebrated her 11th Grand Slam semifinal appearance at age 27, with @Twitugal calling the win a statement that “no battle is unwinnable.” The upset has sparked debates about Sabalenka’s potential to dominate the WTA, especially after defeating Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen in the quarters
What’s Next for Sabalenka
Sabalenka now faces either Coco Gauff or Lois Boisson in the French Open final on June 7, with TNT Sports 1 airing the match at 2 p.m. CET (8 a.m. ET). A victory would mark her second Grand Slam title and first on clay, solidifying her as a multi-surface threat. With Rafael Nadal’s retirement leaving the “King of Clay” title open, Sabalenka is poised to stake her claim as a new clay-court star. Her press conference remarks, shared by @rolandgarros , downplayed her No. 1 ranking, saying, “At this stage of my career, it’s about the titles,” signaling her focus on Grand Slam glory.
