Iga Swiatek faces Aryna Sabalenka in the French Open semi-finals as the defending champion takes on the World No 1 in her bid to win a record title at Roland Garros.
Swiatek is aiming to become the first player in the Open era to win four women’s titles in a row but the fifth seed is looking to reach her first final since last year’s triumph in Paris.
Sabalenka is yet to drop a set during the tournament and will be out to end Swiatek’s 26-match winning streak as the Belarusian aims to win her first French Open title on the clay.
Boisson, the World No 361, has beaten back-to-back top-10 opponents to reach the semi-finals on her grand slam debut and Gauff will have to face the home crowd who will be desperate for Boisson to continue her run.
Iga Swiatek on facing Aryna Sabalenka: ‘Always a challenge’ Iga Swiatek battled from a break down in the second to defeat to defeat Elina Svitolina 6-1 7-5 and extend her French Open winning streak to 26 matches.
She was immediately asked about playing Aryna Sabalenka in her on-court interview and said: “It’s always a challenge playing Aryna. She has a game for every surface.
“I need to focus on myself, do the work, be brave with my shots and go for it. I’ll prepare tactically tomorrow but she’s been having a great season. It’s going to be tough match but I’m happy for the challenge.”
Jamie Braidwood5 June 2025 11:10
Aryna Sabalenka vs Iga Swiatek preview The match-up the French Open had been waiting for came before the tournament began: Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka, the two rivals who have grappled over the World No 1 position for the past three years, met on the practice courts at Roland Garros and played a set. Two weeks later, they will meet again in the semi-finals, a blockbuster booked between the defending champion Swiatek and the biggest contender for her throne, the top seed Sabalenka. With eight grand slam titles between them, it will be the first time they have met at this level since the 2022 US Open.
Jamie Braidwood5 June 2025 10:50
Aryna Sabalenka explains how TikTok dance was key to thawing relationship with Iga SwiatekAryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek get on much better now, but the pair endured a frosty relationship previously until a TikTok dance helped ease any tension.
The blockbuster French Open semi-final sees the world No. 1 Sabalenka and four-time champion meet on the clay at Roland Garros.
Having last met at a Grand Slam at the 2022 US Open, the pair will meet after years battling it out at the very top of the women’s game.
But after rarely sharing a word together, the pair bonded at last year’s WTA Finals in Riyadh.
Jamie Braidwood5 June 2025 10:30
Iga Swiatek vs Aryna Sabalenka start time: When is blockbuster French Open semi-final?Defending champion Iga Swiatek will face World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka in a blockbuster French Open semi-final and their first meeting at a grand slam in almost three years.
Swiatek is bidding to become the first woman in the Open era to win four titles in a row at Roland Garros and extended her winning streak at the to 26 matches by overcoming Elina Svitolina in the quarter-finals.
Sabalenka is aiming to win her first French Open title and is yet to drop a set. The World No 1, who won the titles at the US Open and Australian Open, defeated Olympic champion Qinwen Zheng in the quarters.
Swiatek and Sabalenka last played at a grand slam in the US Open semi-finals, with Swiatek winning in three sets on her way to lifting the title in New York. The Pole leads their overall head-to-head 8-4.
Jamie Braidwood5 June 2025 10:10
Today’s order of play Court Philippe-Chatrier
From 2pm BST
[1] Aryna Sabalenka vs Iga Swiatek [5]
Followed by
[2] Coco Gauff vs Lois Boisson
Jamie Braidwood5 June 2025 10:02
Good morningThe French Open women’s semi-finals are here with two very different matches scheduled on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
Roland Garros will stage the blockbuster and long awaited grand slam meeting between defending champion Iga Swiatek and World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka. Swiatek has won 26 matches in a row at the French Open but Sabalenka has been in dominant form herself.
The other semi-final will put second seed Coco Gauff against France’s Lois Boisson, the World No 361. Boisson’s extraordinary run as a wildcard continued as she defeated Mirra Andreeva and the 22-year-old is the first French player to reach the women’s semi-finals since Marion Bartoli in 2011.
Jamie Braidwood5 June 2025 10:00
