Coco Gauff to face Aryna Sabalenka in final after ending Lois Boisson’s fairytale run

Coco Gauff won in straight sets to reach her second French Open final - Getty Images/Julien De Rosa

The top two seeds in the women’s draw will face each other in Saturday’s French Open final after Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff wrapped up their respective semi-finals in contrasting style.

For Sabalenka, there was a tricky three-set tussle with defending champion Iga Swiatek, who came into Thursday’s match on a streak of 26 straight wins here that dated back to 2021.

Gauff, meanwhile, was largely untroubled, as she disposed of Lois Boisson, the surprise package of this tournament, by a dominant scoreline: 6-1, 6-2.

The final is already shaping up as a contest between the most powerful attacking force in the tournament and the most resilient defender: the classic unstoppable force/immovable object combination.

Sabalenka is the woman with dynamite in her racket. It was always going to take something special to end Swiatek’s three-year reign at Roland Garros, and she came near to tennis perfection as she rounded off a 7-6, 4-6, 6-0 victory in style.

It’s virtually unheard of for a tennis professional to make zero unforced errors in a set. If it happens, it usually stems from ultra-safe shot selection. But Sabalanka managed to do exactly that while blasting winners in all directions.

“I think I lost my intensity a bit, and she came on pretty strongly in third set,” said Swiatek, who seemed surprisingly philosophical for a woman whose greatest stronghold had just been breached. “I didn’t react to that well and just couldn’t push back.

“She played like she didn’t doubt. She just went for it, and that’s what I mean about intensity.”

The final two points of this match were both service returns that flew for clean winners, one off each wing. Swiatek simply had to shake hands and walk off in the knowledge that she had been outclassed.

After the match, Sabalenka admitted that her 12 previous meetings with Swiatek on the WTA Tour had helped her predict what was coming next.

“We played a lot of matches, and I kind of knew what she would try to do against me,” said Sabalenka, who has narrowed the head-to-head gap to 5-8 in Swiatek’s favour. “I have to say that in the third set I saw where she was going [with the serve].”

Sabalenka has always been capable of spectacular strokeplay, but the big shift over the last season or two has been the way she has cleaned up her game. She no longer gives away cheap points, and even when Swiatek was on top during the second set, there were no freebies on offer.

Refocusing before the decider, Sabalenka came out and landed 80 per cent of her first serves, before backing up her delivery with devastating power and poise off the ground. Even when it came to the touch game, she was clearly superior, and the sheer quality of her performance surely bodes well for the final.

Yet if anyone can stop Sabalenka in this form, it is Gauff. Both players will have vivid memories of the previous major final that they contested, which came at the 2023 US Open. In that one, Gauff’s fleet-footed movement eventually drove Sabalenka to distraction, to the point where she started missing even the simpler putaways.

Gauff never had to go into the trenches on Thursday, however, thanks to a much friendlier draw than the one Sabalenka had faced. World No 361 Lois Boisson is arguably the most unheralded player ever to reach a major semi-final, and while she played respectably enough, she was a little out of her depth.

Lois Boisson, the world No 361 sent shockwaves through the tournament - Getty Images/Julian Finney

By contrast with her erratic performance against compatriot Madison Keys in the quarter-finals, Gauff kept the ball under close control and worked Boisson all over the court. It probably helped that Boisson favours a high, spin-heavy ball that gives Gauff time to make her long forehand swing. In the final, Sabalenka will look to rush her with a much faster and flatter trajectory.

There was no tension in Gauff’s racket arm, so we didn’t see the crabby forehand errors that she tends to cough up under pressure. But will she be able to stay so calm on Saturday?

“My first final here I was super nervous and wrote myself off before the match even happened,” said Gauff, who lost to Swiatek in 2022. “Now I’ve won a grand slam so I’m much more confident.”

It will be the first women’s final between the top two seeds at this event since 2013, when Serena Williams defeated Maria Sharapova in straight sets. And with the men’s semi-finals due to come on Friday, many suspect that we might see the same pattern play out again.

06:20 PM BST

The winning moment

06:19 PM BST

‘I know you guys wanted Boisson to win’

World number two Coco Gauff speaking on court after sealing victory: 

It’s always the plan to try to start strong, but I knew it was important today.

Lois [Boisson] is obviously an incredible player. In this tournament, she has definitely proven she’s one of the best players in the world, especially on clay. I’m sure we will have many battles in the future, hopefully here.

I know you guys wanted her to win, but I wanted to win as well. But congratulations to her for an incredible tournament. Today just happened to be my day.

On dealing with the atmosphere on Court Phillipe-Chatrier: 

This is my first time playing a French player here in this tournament, that I can remember. How I managed it? I mean I was mentally prepared before the match. I knew during the match it was going to be 99 per cent for her but I just tried to block it out.

Actually, when you guys were chanting her name I was saying my name to myself – just to kind of psych myself up. You have to do that.

I know you guys would usually root for me if I wasn’t playing someone French, So I love you guys too.

06:07 PM BST

Boisson* 1-6, 2-6 Gauff (*denotes server)

It is such a physical and mental battle for Boisson right now – can she produce one last bit of magic for the crowd?

Frenchwoman edges 15-0 with a peach of the winner down the line. However, her next shot is wild and well wide.

Suddenly, for the first time this week Boisson’s forehand is looking vulnerable and she pings into the net. Then,the errors flow from here and Boisson’s backhand is wild and hands over two match points.

Gauff books her place in her second French Open final as Boisson’s forehand goes out. Gauff will now face Sabalenka for the title on Saturday.

06:00 PM BST

Boisson 1-6, 2-5 Gauff* (*denotes server)

The end is nigh. Rudimentary service hold to love from Gauff, cranking up the heat and enticing three errors on the forehand side. 

05:58 PM BST

Boisson* 1-6, 2-4 Gauff (*denotes server)

Boisson again tries to curtail points with aggressive attempted winners but cannot nail them and when drawn into a long rally she eventually cracks and overstretches a couple of times and Gauff breaks to love. 

05:54 PM BST

Boisson 1-6, 2-3 Gauff* (*denotes server)

You can’t question Boisson’s spirit as she keeps trading blows and breaks her opponent’s serve for the first time, exploiting errors and a double fault to take it to 30. 

05:51 PM BST

Boisson* 1-6, 1-3 Gauff (*denotes server)

I’m afraid those unforced errors are now mounting. Chris Evert says it’s because she’s trying not to get into rallies with Gauff because of her defensive skill so is going for winners and not nailing them. But at love-30 down she wins a 15-stroke rally with a fine top-spun forehand winner. 

Gauff nets her return to make it 30-all but then ends a longish rally with the deftest of running drop-shots to earn a break point. And she takes it at the first opportunity when an understandably knackered-looking Boisson, given the 10 days she’s had, loops a backhand too long.  

Gauff closes in on a place in Saturday’s final against Sabalenka - EPA-EFE/Shutterstock/MOHAMMED BADRA

05:44 PM BST

Boisson 1-6, 1-2 Gauff* (*denotes server)

Amazingly acrobatic rally for 23 shots ends with Gauff’s forehand winner to take a 15-love lead. Guts and running power from Gauff end an 11-shot rally in her favour and she moves ahead on a Gauff unforced error on her backhands side. 

The low balls on her sliced backhand earn Boisson a break point but then she hooks her return into the net to make it deuce. Gauff takes advantage by virtue of her opponent’s 19th unforced error and seals the hold by pushing Boisson deep and eliciting a 20th on her forehand side. 

05:39 PM BST

Boisson* 1-6, 1-1 Gauff (*denotes server)

Boisson races to 40-love by exploring a range of serves, one down the T, one wide, a lovely vollyed winner and a backhand error from Gauff. The American’s forehand error earns Boisson a hold to love!

05:36 PM BST

Second set: Boisson 1-6, 0-1 Gauff* (*denotes server)

There’s no shame in Lois Boisson. Her rise after her cruciate ligament surgery has been remarkable but Gauff has superior experience and a well-honed game. Boisson has a fine all-round game and has already climbed more than 300 places in the rankings but Gauff has too much nous and power so far and holds to 15.

05:30 PM BST

Boisson* 1-6 Gauff (*denotes server)

Gauff nails a forehand, driving off the front foot to go to love-15 at the end of a long, attractive rally. Boisson fights back to win a pair of points until Gauff isolates her in her forehand corner then carves a crosscourt-volley winner to make it 30-all.

Set point comes after Boisson’s backhand drifts out and Gauff wraps up the first set on the wildcard’s forehand error.

05:26 PM BST

Boisson 1-5 Gauff* (*denotes server)

Gauff’s first serve accuracy is down to 33 per cent but it makes no difference. Boisson manages to get to both corners in scrambled defence but Gauff still holds to 30 when Boisson pulls a backhand wide and disappointment is written all across her face. 

05:21 PM BST

Boisson* 1-4 Gauff (*denotes server)

As Chris Evert notes, Boisson has switched to trying to shorten the points and it pays off when she gets to 30-15 and even when engaged in a longer rally her sliced backhand serves her well and she earns two game points to get on the board. Boisson cannot convert the first – her backhand sails too long – but she nails the second when Gauff pings her return of serve into the net. 

05:19 PM BST

Boisson 0-4 Gauff* (*denotes server)

Now Gauff goes on the offensive and although Boisson digs into good defence, force of stroke wins the day. But at 15-all Boisson gets a glimmer of hope with a backhand and then Gauff double-faults. 

Boisson has two break points. She leaves her return short on the first of them and Gauff flays a winner at the net. And then she loses the second of them with an attempted drop shot that she leaves her side of the net. Deuce. 

A gorgeous backhand crosscourt winner, upping the pace, earns her a third break point after manipulating Gauff from corner to corner. But an attempted lob seems to come off the frame and flies out to take them back to deuce. 

A risky crosscourt dropshot comes off for Boisson to return it to deuce having lost the previous point on an error. But then she misses a winner down the line at the net by half an inch. The crowd boos as Gauff signals it out. Advantage Gauff. And the Amrican makes it 4-0 when Boisson nets a backhand. Closest game, if that’s any succour, though. 

Lois Boisson is taken to the limit in opening exchanges - AFP/ALAIN JOCARD

05:06 PM BST

Boisson* 0-3 Gauff (*denotes server)

Fast footwork from Boisson after a forceful forehand takes her to the net to slap a volley winner to go 15-love ahead, Gauff’s solid defence earns the next three points, waiting for mistakes. Two break points.

And just like the first semi, the higher ranked players starts with a double break.

Coco Gauff is off to a flyer - Denis Balibouse/REUTERS

05:03 PM BST

Boisson 0-2 Gauff* (*denotes server)

Raw power from Gauff on her backhand side, absolutely drilled up the line takes her to 30-15 and she comes to the net after pushing Boisson very deep to cushion a volley winner and move to 40-15. 

Gauff closes out the hold with a loose forehand from a high-kicking ball pushed into the corner. 

04:59 PM BST

First set: Boisson* 0-1 Gauff (*denotes server)

The crowd, almost all of the 15,000, are in Boisson’s corner who betrays no nerves as she plays the most gorgeous dropshot winner with backspin to make it 30-all in start defined by longer rallies than the earlier match.

Gauff’s power earns her a break point which Boisson defends when Gauff drives a forehand six inches too long. Boisson’s backhand yields a second break point and she is broken next point when she chips another backhand into the net.

04:52 PM BST

Second semi-final

Is about to begin featuring Coco Gauff, the No2 seed, and wildcard Lois Boisson. They’re just knocking up now and playing each other for the first time. 

04:48 PM BST

Sabalenka outclasses Swiatek in decider

It was always going to take something special to end Iga Swiatek’s 26-match winning streak at Roland Garros, and world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka came near to tennis perfection as she rounded off a 7-6, 4-6, 6-0 victory in style.

It’s virtually unheard of for a tennis professional to make zero unforced errors in a set. If it happens, it usually stems from ultra-safe shot selection. But Sabalanka managed to do exactly that while blasting winners in all directions.

The final two points of this match were both service returns that flew for clean winners, one off each wing. Swiatek simply had to shake hands and walk off in the knowledge that she had been outclassed.

Sabalenka has always been capable of spectacular strokeplay, but the big shift over the last season or two has been the way she has cleaned up her game. She no longer gives away cheap points, and even when Swiatek was on top during the second set, there were no freebies on offer.

Refocusing before the decider, Sabalenka came out and landed 80 per cent of her first serves, before backing up her delivery with devastating power and poise off the ground. Even when it came to the touch game, she was clearly superior, and the sheer quality of this performance made one wonder how anyone can possibly stop her.

Whoever wins the second semi-final, Sabalenka will go into Saturday as the strong favourite to win the French Open and extend her personal collection to four grand-slam titles.

04:40 PM BST

Sabalenka: “I’m glad I found my serve’

Sabalenka: “She’s the toughest opponent, especially on the clay. I’m proud that I was able to get this win. It was a tough match a streaky match, but I managed somehow and I’m super proud right now.

“I’m glad that I found my serve [in the third set] and it was a bit easier with the serve. Six-love. What can I say? It couldn’t be more perfect than that.

“I’ll let my team watch it [the other semi-inal] and tomorrow we’re going to watch it together. Enjoy the other semi-final you guys [t the crowd]. I’m pretty sure you are going to be cheering for one person like crazy and I’m not really sure I want her to win [laughs].£

04:32 PM BST

SABALENKA WINS: Sabalenka 7-6(1), 4-6, 6-0 Swiatek

This will be quite a way to end her 26-match winning streak.

Swaitek at least gets a good first serve away for 15-love. Only to double-fault. Oh dear. 15-all.

Now she goes long and the rallies are now down to an average of two shots a point. 15-30.

Incredible return from the powerful Sabalanka, who now has two match points.

A tame second serve is dispatched by Sabalanka, who has reached her first French Open final in imperious fashion.

04:27 PM BST

Sabalenka* 7-6(1), 4-6, 5-0 Swiatek (denotes server)

Swiatek makes her 10th unforced error of the set to hand Sabalenka the first point.

A rocket of a serve make it 30-0.

And Swiatek can only framw the bnext serve ito the crowd. Can’t deal with the power of her opponent now. 40-0.

Ace. Game. Five of them to love.

The defending champion is simply being blown away.

04:25 PM BST

Sabalenka 7-6(1), 4-6, 4-0 Swiatek* (denotes server)

Sabalenka is coming out swinging now with the confidence of a woman who is three games up in the deciding set.

A delightful pass brings up 0-15 and she takes the next point too and Swiatek is in trouble, especially after going long from the baseline. 0-40.

Sabalenka is getting incredible length on her groundstrokes and Swaitek can’t live with it. She makes another unforced error to lose the game to love.

04:21 PM BST

Sabalenka* 7-6(1), 4-6, 3-0 Swiatek (denotes server)

Sabalenka ups the ante on her serving game again and Swiatek suddenly finds herself 40-0 down. 

The Pole sends back a fantastic return for 40-15 but is passed brilliantly by Sabalenka on the next point and is now under the pump as Sabalenka roars three games clear.

04:17 PM BST

Sabalenka 7-6(1), 4-6, 2-0 Swiatek* (denotes server)

Swiatek hits two serves out, both of which were contested by the Polish player. She is not seeing eye to eye with this referee, who at least deigns to get off his chair to make his ruling this time. Double-fault.

Incredible scampering there from Swiatek, who shows incredible speed and athleticism to sta in the point as Sabalenka tried to blow her off the court. Sabalenka hits into the tramlines for 30-15.

Sabalenka hit a fine winner and howls a primal scream after doing so, Swaitek is then forced ton come ot the net but this time she misses with her attempted approach shot.

And Sabalenka breaks her after forcing her back with a barrage of meaty forehands.

04:12 PM BST

Sabalenka* 7-6(1), 4-6, 1-0 Swiatek (denotes server)

A good return from Swiatek has Sabalenka on her heels and she nets for 15-all.

Swiatek again returns well but changes her mind at the last second with the open court at her mercy to net. 30-15.

A long rally ensues and as Sabalenka comes to the net Swiatek creams a passing shot for 30-all.

A glorious forehand pass down the line from Sabalenka brings up 40-30, and she blasts an unreturnable serve down the middle to win the game.

04:08 PM BST

Sabalenka 7-6(1), 4-6 Swiatek* (denotes server)

Sabalenka gets the first serve back but nets a regulation forehand and swears at herself for such carelessness.

Sabalenka hastens to the net after playing a drop shot but you have to execute better against the fastest player in the womens’ game. A short exchange at the net follows which Swiatek wins.

A lovely pass brings up three set points for Swiatek, the first of which she converts after sending Sabalenka scampering every which way, with a selection of perfectly places groundstrokes. It’s one set all.

A very authoritative finish to the second set there from Swiatek, who found her first serve when she needed it. Sabalenka made only one of seven first serves in the opening game, which helped change the momentum.

04:03 PM BST

Sabalenka 7-6(1), 4-5 Swiatek* (denotes server)

Sabalenka moves 15-0 up but fails to do with a moonball from Swiatek, driving a volley a mile out of court.

A very late out call on a searching long groundstroke from, Swiatek puts Sabalenka 30-15 up and then a lovely drop shot gives her 40-15.

She takes the game by melting another serve down the T.

It’ll be Swiatek to serve to level the match.

04:00 PM BST

Sabalenka 7-6(1), 3-5 Swiatek* (denotes server)

At 15-0 Sabalenka hangs in the point and forces Swiatek to the net with a brutal drop shot the Pole can’t reach.

That was a refreshingly long rally.

Swiatek sends a winner perilously close to the baseline toi move 30-15 up and then, after a superbly placed serve, approaches the net to smash home another winner.

If she keeps serving this well she will win the set. She takes the game thanks to another thunderous serve.

That’s three holds in a row to 15 from the four-time champion.

03:56 PM BST

Sabalenka* 7-6(1), 3-4 Swiatek (denotes server)

At 0-30 Swiatek throws her racquet at a thunderous Sabalanka crosscourt backhand reminiscent of Carlo Alcaraz.

Swiatek is then given a talking to by the referee for requesting he come down to check the mark of Sabalenka’s winner.

A heated exchange follows with Swiatex claiming ‘it’s not fair”  but the referee holds his ground, refuses to come down, as Swiatek had taken too long to make the appeal. It turns out she was right and Sabalnka;s shot was out, but after much ado about nothing Sabalenka serves out the game.

03:52 PM BST

Sabalenka 7-6(1), 2-4 Swiatek* (denotes server)

Swiatek is looking to preserve her two game lead and is serving well enough to do so.

She pulls out a delightful passing backhand down the line too to move 40-15 up. 

And she then puts away a smash to take the game.                    

03:48 PM BST

Sabalenka* 7-6(1), 2-3 Swiatek (denotes server)

Sabalenka gets back in her serving groove and takes the game with ease.

That must have been the shortest game of the match so far.

03:42 PM BST

Sabalenka 7-6(1), 1-3 Swiatek* (denotes server)

It’s not easy for anyone to buy a hold of serve in this match. Infosys do a stat where they rate particular shots out of ten and they gave Sabalenka a 9.8 for her returning across the whole of the first set. Swiatek got 9.4.

Sabalenka pulverises a return but Swiatek responds with an ace to level at 15-all.

Sabalenka sends a crosscourt forehand wide and in the next rally Swiatek elects to comes to the net where she executes a delightful drop shot for 40-15.

She then repeats the feat – another drop shot – this time from the baseline and that’s game. Wonderful tennis from the reigning champion at last.

03:41 PM BST

Sabalenka* 7-6(1), 1-2 Swiatek (denotes server)

Sabalenka is struggling with her serve and throws in two unforced errors to fall 0-40 behind.

All of a sudden it’s amateur hour and after forcing Swiatek behind the baseline again she inexplicably sends a backhand into the tramlines. It’s another break of serve!

03:38 PM BST

Sabalenka 7-6(1), 1-1 Swiatek* (denotes server)

After an exchange of points Swiatek crashes down a serve that Sabalenka can only just get a racquet head to, but Sabalenka hits some brutal long groundstrokes that keep Swatek pegged back, forcing the Pole to net twice and bring up break point.

Sabalenka drills another ferocious forehand and Swiatek has no answer,an db breaks back.

That’s two breaks of serve in the first two games.

03:32 PM BST

Sabalenka* 7-6(1), 0-1 Swiatek (denotes server)

Crikey. With the whole of Sabalenka’s forehand court at her mercy, Swiatek lamps her forehand wide. The crowd gasps. And at 15-all she goes for that corner again and hooks it wide. 

Sabalenka leads 30-15 until Swiatek’s forehand bites to level it. 

Sabalenka’s first serve keeps going awry and Swiatek manipulates her sufficiently off her second to drwa an error and earn a break point at 30-40.

The world No1 defends it with aggression and a brutal forehand winner down the line. 

Lovely backhand crosscourt winner built on her quick feet earns Swiatek a second break point, which she seals with a backhand winner. 

Richard Aikman will be your guide for the rest of the match. 

03:23 PM BST

First set verdict

Really enjoyed that set. Sabalenka lost her way after the “let” call but rediscovered her best game at 4-5 down, and has been back on top since. Great serving and returning, and a bit of touch too. Swiatek’s hands let her down at a crucial moment in that tie-break, as she served at 1-3 and a short chip of a return drew her in to the net. She poked the next ball wide with notably poor feel, whereas I would back Sabalenka to do something creative in an awkward position like that, maybe like a re-drop with heavy underspin. That’s a big factor: they can both strike heavy balls (even if Sabalenka has more pace through the air) but Swiatek has less touch and feel these days than her opponent, who has worked tirelessly on improving that facet of her game

03:16 PM BST

Sabalenka 7-6(1) Swiatek

Sabalenka starts with a mini-break off the first point then holds the next two points, resorting to power and width. She leads 3-0.

Swiatek comes to the net when Sabalanka tries a rare dropshot and nails a volley winner but then smears a forehand dropshot of her own wide. 4-1.

Make that 5-1 when Sabalenka reels off a second ace: 5-1.

Swiatek scoops a forehand groundstroke out beyond the baseline. 6-1

And Sabalenka takes the breaker 7-1 when her opponent’s attempted backhand winner also drifts too long.

03:15 PM BST

Sabalenka* 6-6 Swiatek (denotes server)

Sabalenka’s service crumbles just when she needs to crack on and yields two points on her second serve. She fights back to 15-30 with a very deep second serve that Swiatek returns too long and a forehand winner takes her to 30-all and two points from taking a one set lead.

Swiatek’s brillinat, dipping forehand winner giver her break point but Sabalenka defends it with a fine serve backed up with a vicious backhand that wrongfoots Swiatek.

A second break point is earned by Swiatek with a fizzing return, drawing the error and she breaks back when Sabalenka’s attempted backhand winner up the line drifts too long.

Into the tie-break.

03:09 PM BST

Sabalenka 6-5 Swiatek* (denotes server)

At love-30 down Swiatek finds the depth of serve to force Sabalenka to chip her return too long but then hooks a forehand beyond the baseline when confounded by spin. Sabalenka now has two break points. 

She needs only one with a huge, deep return that Swiatek cannot get back into play. One step forward, one back. 

03:05 PM BST

Sabalenka* 5-5 Swiatek (denotes server)

Sabalenka fires a forehand winner up the line off Swiatek’s short return and then the defending champion nets her return. A punishing serve right in the corner allows her to race to 40-love and she holds to love off her second serve by again locating the sweet spot in the corner of Swaitek’s ad/backhand court. 

03:02 PM BST

Turning point?

That “let” call from the chair umpire at 4-1 is now looking increasingly important. Sabalenka thought she had hit an ace out wide at 40-30 that would have given her a 5-1 lead. The umpire called it back for a tiny flick on the net-cord, and then had a conversation with Sabalenka, who seemed unconvinced. She could be seen grinning sardonically in order to mask her own irritation. From there, a couple of strong backhands helped Swiatek break serve and now – after a string of four straight games – she has the initiative at 5-4. The quality is definitely rising and Swiatek looks like she will take some stopping. 

03:01 PM BST

Sabalenka 4-5 Swiatek* (denotes server)

Sabalenka slips in the corner after sliding at 15-30 and allows Swiatek to level on her service game. Neither’s service game is functioning, Sabalenka’s for lack of precision, Swiatek’s because of the ferocity of Sabalenka’s returns. 

An unforced error on her forehand from Sabalenka is followed by an inside-out spiffing forehand winner to take them to deuce. 

Swiatek wins the next point by peppering the corners until Sabalenka cracks. Width and pace. And she pumps her fist for the first time I’ve noticed then goes into the lead for the first time when, after a long rally, Sabalenka drags a backhand wide. 

Swiatek finds some rhythm - REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes

02:54 PM BST

Sabalenka* 4-4 Swiatek (denotes server)

Sabalenka starts her fourth service game with her first double fault. And then she overhits off her second serve to make it love-30. No doubt whose side the crowd is on. Win here four times and you deserve to be their favourite. Sabalenka finds her serving range with the new balls and exploits Swiatek’s slip to tie it up at 30-all. Swiatek finds the depth to make it 30-40, forcing Sabalenka into a verticla swing with the ball at her feet which spoons the ball too long. 

And a big double fault from Sabalenka, who goes spare with her coaches, levels it at 4-4. 

02:50 PM BST

Sabalenka 4-3 Swiatek* (denotes server)

Sabalenka rolls her eyes when routine groundstrokes go long and Swiatek moves to 30-love and then, in a rally, swats her overhead wide to make it 40-love.

Sabalenka battles one point back with a sizzling return and a second with a backhand winner up the line: 40-30.

But Swiatek finally holds with deep, kicking serve that Sabalenka thumps into the net on return.

Two holds and five breaks here so far so even though Sabalenka remains 4-3 up, we might say that Swiatek is “back on return” after that game. (As opposed to “back on serve”, which is the usual formulation.)

02:45 PM BST

Sabalenka 4-2 Swiatek* (denotes server)

In the interval between games, Swiatek approached her box and engaged in an animated discussion, almost pleading with them for a solution. 

She resolves to push Sabalenka off court when she can with crosscourt strokes that force her out of her comfort zone and off to the sides. 

At 40-30, though, a late call of ‘let’ takes what Sabalenka thought was an ace off the table and Swiatek stays in the next rally and waits for a mistake that levels the game at deuce. 

Swiatek misjudges a backhand from the baseline mid-rally and gives Sabalenka game point but Swiatek manages to defend it on the second serve with a backhand winner up the line.

Swiatek pushes Sabalenka deep to earn a break point when Sabalenka’s desperate backhand lob sails out and seals the break on second serve with a forehand, crosscourt winner. She has won nine of 14 points off Sabalenka’s second serve. 

But she is yet to hold. Now or never. 

Swiatek yells at her camp - EPA-EFE/Shutterstock/MOHAMMED BADRA

02:36 PM BST

Sabalenka 4-1 Swiatek* (denotes server)

Brutal power from Sabalenka off Swiatek’s second serve takes her into a love-30 lead. Interesting point from Lindsay Davenport who says Sabalenka can play like this, using her power game, because she’s essentially playing indoors with the closed roof taking the wind out of the equation, allowing her to go for it.

After trading points to make it 15-40, Swiatek pumps her forehand off Sabalenka’s return into the net.

Sabalenka has the double break back.

The rhythm here is like a grass-court match from the mid-1990s, when carbon fibre rackets were new and Kevin Curren was a Wimbledon finalist. About 75-80 per cent of the points are four shots or under. We’ve had one rally that lasted nine shots, whereas last night Djokovic and Zverev managed about 60 of those. 

02:32 PM BST

Sabalenka* 3-1 Swiatek (denotes server)

The power of Sabalenka is finally harnessed by Swiatek who moves her opponent side to side then fires a pair of winners to rally from 30-love to 30-40 and give her a glimmer of hope.

But her backhand crosscourt after the ball pops up off the net cord is smeared wide. So we move to the first deuce of the match.

Sabalenka keeps changing her service position to sow more problems for Swiatek but the four-time champions speed across court earns her another break point with an inside-out backhand winner, her seventh of the match.

Sabalenka racks up her fourth winner to take it back to deuce with a baseline forehand winner before lunging at and hooking a forehand wide to yield a third break point.

And Swiatek gets on the board with a forehand return that paints the line.

One break back.

I’m fond of saying that clay-court tennis is all about building points, but this is fast and furious so far. Sabalenka is teeing off on her return of serve, as Rybakina did when she almost bagelled Swiatek in the opening set last week. Is there an argument for Swiatek to move a little deeper and try to extend the points rather than going toe to toe?

Sabalenka overpowers Swiatek in the early games - REUTERS/Lisi Niesner

02:22 PM BST

Sabalenka 3-0 Swiatek* (denotes server)

Sabalenka in full bully mode, smiting murderously powerful returns to take a love-30 lead. Swaitek clings on with a forehand winner driven up the line off hers second serve but then chops a backhand crosscourt into the net cord and the ball balloons out. 15-40.

Swiatek defends the first break point with a forehand crosscourt at Sabalenka’s toes but then pans a forehand six inches too long.

Sabalenka has the double break.

02:19 PM BST

Sabalenka* 2-0 Swiatek (denotes server)

Swiatek opts to fight fire with fire and comes out swinging, hitting each shot aggressively setting up a winner at the net to move to love-15. 

Sabalenka counters with high-kicking serves on second serve, thrashes a return back and then, after she pulls a face at her coaching/family box as she hasn’t yet nailed a first serve, she clocks up an ace, holding to 15 by coming to the net on her backhand side and follows up a drop shot with an angled volleyed winner accompanied by a big grunt.  

02:14 PM BST

Sabalenka 1-0 Swiatek* (denotes server)

Swiatek, in lilac, easily takes the first point as Sabalenka, resplendent in turquoise, whacks her backhand return into the net. Sabalenka, after that false start, pummels a pair of returns with dizzying pace back at Swiatek who can’t get them back over and  advances to 15-30.

Make that 15-40 and two break points when her forehand power proves too much for Swiatek. 

Never a good time to double fault… but at 15-40 down is particularly detrimental to the nerves.

Sabalenka breaks. 

02:06 PM BST

Swiatek wins the toss and elects to serve

But first… they’ll knock up. Tim Henman has backed Swiatek, only when pushed into a corner and quite equivocally. 

02:02 PM BST

It’s raining in Paris

And the roof of Philippe-Chatrier has been closed. The match was scheduled to follow the Mixed Doubles final which was a breeze for the No 3 seeds, Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, who took 70 minutes to rack up a 6-4, 6-2 victory over the US’s Taylor Townsend and Evan King. 

The players are out of their dressing rooms, in the corridor and ready to be announced on court. 

12:34 PM BST

Preview

By Emily Thomas

Good afternoon and welcome to the coverage of the two French Open women’s semi-finals. First up on Phillipe-Chatrier is the highly anticipated clash between defending champion Iga Swiatek and world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka.

Sabalenka has found her feet on the clay and is yet to drop a set in this tournament, avenging defeat by Qinwen Zheng last month in Rome in the quarter-finals here.

Slowly but surely, Swiatek is overcoming stuttering form and is back playing with poise and precision. One minor hiccup in the fourth round, when she lost the first set to Elena Rybakina, has been the only minor disruption in Swiatek’s mission to reclaim the title.

Swiatek is known as the ‘Queen of Clay’ after winning four times at the Roland Garros but will the pressure and Sabalenka’s prevailing power be too much for her? The world No 1 has worked tirelessly to broaden her range, adding more touch and subtle slices to her repertoire. These small changes compounded with her rocket-like ground strokes will make for an interesting match against the measured Swiatek.

Sabalenka is certainly talking tough. “I go out there and I fight,” she said. “I’m ready to leave everything I have to get the win.”

The pair have met on 12 occasions, with Swiatek winning eight but this is their first meeting at Roland Garros.

In this afternoon’s second semi-final, world No2 Coco Gauff is the overwhelming favourite against darling of the crowd, French wild card Lois Bosson.

Lois Boisson first made headlines when her opponent, British No 4, gracelessly called her smelly. But who is laughing now Boisson is having the run of her life becoming the first home player to reach the final four at Roland Garros since 2011 after defeating No 6 seed Mirra Andreeva in straight sets in the quarter-final.

As for Gauff, she managed a tricky three-set victory over compatriot Madison Keys in the last eight and the 2023 US Open Champion is gunning to reach her second French Open final. If her forehand and serve come together, she has the ability to make this a cakewalk against a player of such little experience. This said, Boisson’s nothing to lose attitude could play to her advantage.

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