The stage is set for a thrilling semi-final encounter at the French Open, with three-time defending champion Iga Swiatek set to face world number one Aryna Sabalenka, while reigning men’s champion Carlos Alcaraz stormed into the final four with a comprehensive win.
Alcaraz’s quarter-final performance was nothing short of spectacular as the Spanish prodigy demolished American 12th seed Tommy Paul in just over an hour and a half. On the iconic Court Philippe Chatrier, Alcaraz delivered a clinical 6-0, 6-1, 6-4 victory, winning 40 points more than Paul. “I’m sorry you wanted to watch more tennis, I had to do my work,” Alcaraz humorously told the crowd after his blistering performance.
“It was one of those matches where I could close my eyes and everything went in. My feeling today was unbelievable,” the 22-year-old added.
Earlier in the day, Swiatek, the tournament’s fifth seed, dispatched Ukrainian Elina Svitolina 6-1, 7-5, showcasing a dominant display on her favourite clay surface despite a few tense moments. Swiatek broke Svitolina early in the first set, withstanding a late surge from her opponent in the second set, which included an intense 5-5 battle. The Pole sealed the win with back-to-back aces, after overcoming a series of break-point opportunities by Svitolina.
“It wasn’t as straightforward as the score suggests. I had to fight for every point,” Swiatek said. Despite some inconsistencies in her form this season, which saw her fail to reach a final since winning last year’s French Open, Swiatek remains confident as she heads into her semi-final clash with Sabalenka.
Swiatek, aiming to become the first woman in 102 years to win four consecutive Roland Garros titles, acknowledged the challenge ahead. “(Sabalenka) has been having a great season so I’m not going to lie, it’s going to be a tough match. But I’m happy for the challenge,” Swiatek said. She leads their head-to-head 8-4, but Sabalenka dethroned her as world number one in October of last year.
Sabalenka secured her spot in the semi-finals after a commanding 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 victory over Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen. Despite being tested by Zheng, who had been on a 10-match win streak on the Parisian clay, Sabalenka fought back after being down 4-2 in the first set. Zheng’s unforced errors — a total of 31 — played a significant role in the Belarusian’s comeback.
“I gave her the chance, so easy,” Zheng admitted, referring to her missed opportunities during the match. Sabalenka, who clinched the Madrid Open earlier this season, is eager to go all the way in Paris, a city where she has reached the semi-finals before. “It’s high-level matches. I’m super excited to go out there and to fight for the win,” she said.
Meanwhile, Alcaraz’s quarter-final opponent, Paul, was left to reflect on a one-sided contest. Alcaraz now looks ahead to a semi-final clash with Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti, who triumphed over 15th-seeded American Frances Tiafoe 6-2, 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 in a gruelling encounter. Musetti will be aiming for his second Grand Slam semi-final after his breakthrough Wimbledon run last year.
Having dominated the clay-court season, Alcaraz has already beaten Musetti in the Monte Carlo final and the Rome semi-finals. Musetti, however, stands firm with his eyes set on challenging the Spaniard in their upcoming match.
For now, the focus shifts to the women’s semi-final, where two of the sport’s most dominant forces, Swiatek and Sabalenka, prepare for what promises to be an epic battle at the 2025 French Open.