PARIS (Reuters) - World number one Aryna Sabalenka battled past four-times champion Iga Swiatek to reach her first French Open final with a 7-6(1) 4-6 6-0 win on Thursday that ended the Pole’s reign in Paris and snapped her 26-game winning streak at the tournament.
The Belarusian will face 2022 finalist Coco Gauff in Saturday’s showcase match after the American crushed French hopes with a straight-sets victory over wild card Lois Boisson.
Sabalenka’s power proved too much for defending champion Swiatek, who was looking to become the first female player in the Open era since 1968 to win four consecutive titles in Paris.
Swiatek had won the previous three editions along with her maiden crown in 2020.
“Honestly, it feels incredible but I understand the job is not done yet. I’m just thrilled today with this win and the atmosphere,” Sabalenka said.
“She’s the toughest opponent, e  pecially on clay, especially at Roland Garros. It was a tough match, it was a tricky match but I managed.”
Sabalenka, playing her second French Open semifinal and seeking her first title in Paris, powered into a 3-0 lead, twice breaking the Pole. She kept attacking her opponent’s serve with Swiatek winning just 35% of her points on her second serve.
Swiatek, who late last year accepted a one-month doping ban and came into the tournament without a title win this season, had reached the semis dropping just one set in five matches. But she looked completely out of sorts on Thursday.