Top seed Sabalenka battles past Zheng to reach French Open semis
World number one Aryna Sabalenka ended Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen's winning streak on the Paris clay with a straight-sets victory on Tuesday to seal herself a spot in the French Open semi-finals.
The top seed from Belarus won through 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 against the Chinese eighth seed in just under two hours on Court Philippe Chatrier.
She next plays either three-time defending champion Iga Swiatek of Poland or Ukraine's Elina Svitolina for a place in the final.
The 27-year-old fought back after struggling in the first set against Zheng, who had beaten her in the last eight on clay in Rome last month, extending her record against the Chinese player to 7-1.
"The last tournament I was pretty exhausted," said Sabalenka.
"Today I was more fresh I was ready to battle, to fight and give everything.
"Honestly, I was actually glad that I lost that match because I needed a little break before Roland Garros."
On Tuesday, 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 year.
Zheng broke and led 4-2 in the first set. But numerous unforced errors -- 31 in total -- allowed the Belarusian to come back.
The second set was also tight before Sabalenka broke back to lead 4-3, taking advantage of her opponent's errors.
- 'True battle' -
Sabalenka converted her first match point on a poorly-controlled drop-shot from Zheng to reach her seventh semi-final of the season.
"That was a true battle. Honestly I have no idea how I was able to break her back and get back in the first set," said Sabalenka.
"I was just trying to fight and I was just trying to put as many balls as I could back in. I didn't start well but I'm really glad I found my rhythm and won this match. It was a tough one.
"I was just more fresh today and I was ready to battle, fight and leave everything that I have on court to get this win. I think that's about it."
Sabalenka advances to her 11th major semi-final overall, and her second in Paris following her run in 2023, which ended in a three-set loss to Czech Karolina Muchova.
"I think we are all here for one reason, everyone wants that beautiful trophy," said Madrid Open winner Sabalenka.
"I'm really glad that I have another opportunity, another semi-final, to do better than I did last time. I'm ready to go out there and fight and compete for every point."
A three-time Grand Slam winner -- winning the Australian Open in 2023 and 2024 and the reigning US Open champion -- Sabalenka is chasing her sixth Grand Slam final berth.
T.Murphy--MP
