Swiatek Crushes Svitolina Charge, Sets Sabalenka Semifinal Showdown in Pursuit of French Open History

French Open scores : The chill of a Parisian evening couldn’t cool the relentless fire of Iga Swiatek. Under the fading light on Court Philippe-Chatrier, the defending French Open champion delivered a masterclass in clay-court dominance, dismantling the resurgent Elina Svitolina 6-1, 6-3 to storm into the Roland Garros semifinals. This victory extends Swiatek’s astonishing winning streak at the French Open to 26 matches, edging her closer to an unprecedented fourth consecutive title 1413.

The Match: Clinical Swiatek Halts Svitolina’s Resurgence

French Open scores told a story of Swiatek’s ruthless efficiency on Tuesday. Despite Svitolina‘s renowned fighting spirit and recent career renaissance, the Pole proved an immovable object. The first set was a near-perfect demonstration of Swiatek’s clay-court prowess. She broke Svitolina’s serve twice, capitalizing on every hint of vulnerability with laser-focused precision. While the 6-1 scoreline seemed emphatic, the tension crackling through the stadium reflected the high stakes – Svitolina fought desperately in lengthy games, particularly when down 0-30 or facing break points, but Swiatek consistently found another gear on the critical points, snuffing out hope with powerful groundstrokes and exceptional court coverage 113.

The second set saw Svitolina dig deeper. She secured an early break, sending a ripple of anticipation through the crowd. It was a glimmer of the form that saw her save three match points against Jasmine Paolini in the previous round. Yet, the resilience that defines Swiatek’s reign surfaced immediately. She broke straight back, cancelling out Svitolina’s advantage with unnerving speed. The pivotal moment came with Svitolina serving at 3-3. In a marathon game filled with deuces and break points, Swiatek’s relentless pressure finally told. She secured the crucial break, her trademark heavy topspin forehand dragging Svitolina wide and forcing errors. From there, Swiatek’s focus was impenetrable. She held her next service game comfortably and broke Svitolina once more to seal the victory, clinching the set 6-3 and booking her place in the semifinals 113.

Swiatek’s Path: A Confidence Forged in Fire

This quarterfinal win feels particularly significant for Swiatek. Just days ago, her campaign – and her aura of invincibility on Parisian clay – seemed in genuine peril. Trailing 1-6, 0-2 against the formidable Elena Rybakina in the fourth round, Swiatek faced the abyss. Rybakina was blasting her off the court, prompting Swiatek to later quip she felt “like I was playing Jannik Sinner” due to the sheer weight and accuracy of Rybakina’s shots 4813.

• The Comeback: What followed was a testament to Swiatek’s champion mentality. She clawed her way back, point by painful point, adapting her tactics. A key shift was stepping further back to return Rybakina’s powerful serves, a suggestion from coach Wim Fissette that she admitted felt “weird” but proved crucial 8. She saved break points under immense pressure, weathered momentum swings in a tense decider that featured a dramatic overturned call on match point, and ultimately triumphed 1-6, 6-3, 7-5. “I think I needed that kind of win,” Swiatek confessed, relief and satisfaction evident. “To feel these feelings that I’m able to win under pressure, and even if it’s not going the right way, still turn the match around… It’s a great confirmation for me” 489.
• The Record: That Rybakina victory was Swiatek’s 25th consecutive win at Roland Garros, tying Monica Seles’ Open Era streak. Her win over Svitolina marked 26, equalling Seles and inching closer to Chris Evert’s record 4813. More importantly, it transformed her confidence. The player who looked vulnerable and occasionally frustrated during clay events leading into Paris (like a heavy loss to Coco Gauff in Madrid and an emotional defeat to Danielle Collins in Rome) had rediscovered her belief and problem-solving prowess on the biggest stage 9.

Svitolina’s Valiant Effort: A Mother’s Mission Continues

While Svitolina‘s French Open journey ended in the quarterfinals, her performance in Paris 2025 solidified her remarkable comeback. Her path to facing Swiatek was itself a drama-filled epic. Against last year’s finalist, fourth seed Jasmine Paolini, Svitolina stared down three match points in the second set. Displaying the fearless aggression that has defined her post-motherhood game, she saved them all, won a tense tiebreak, and then steamrolled the decider 6-1 613.

• The Reinvention: Svitolina’s journey back to the top echelons of tennis after giving birth to daughter Skai in October 2022 is awe-inspiring. She didn’t just return; she reinvented her game. Gone was the passive counterpuncher who famously lost a 2017 Roland Garros quarterfinal to Simona Halep from 5-1 up in the second set. In her place stands a player embracing aggression, cracking winners off both wings, and possessing renewed mental fortitude. “I’m trying to really push for these next few years,” Svitolina declared before the tournament. “I feel like I’m fit, I’m playing well, I’m mentally very locked in… I want to challenge these big players, to become one of them again” 6.
• The Tools: This aggression is backed by tangible changes. Off-season foot surgery addressed lingering physical issues. Crucially, she switched her racquet to a Diadem Axis, a move influenced by her brother-in-law. “I’m getting more easy power,” Svitolina explained. “My strokes have more power, maybe also a little more heaviness. With the serve, we could right away see… they’re more powerful” 6. This new weapon, combined with her athleticism and the steady guidance of coach Andrew Bettles (back after a brief stint with another coach), propelled her to strong results in 2025, including a title in Rouen and quarterfinals in Melbourne, Indian Wells, Madrid, and Rome 6.
• The Motivation: Beyond personal ambition, Svitolina carries the weight of her war-torn nation, Ukraine. “For me it’s always the first thing that I have on my mind when I wake up,” she shared after her first-round win, referencing constant rocket attacks back home. She channels this into her play, aiming to inspire, while also providing direct support through her foundation 6. Her run in Paris, including that stunning comeback against Paolini, ensured she will rise closer to her goal of re-entering the Top 10 613.

Beyond Rivals: A Foundation of Mutual Respect

While their quarterfinal clash was fiercely competitive, a genuine warmth exists between Swiatek and Svitolina. Their bond transcends tennis rivalry. They first connected significantly during the COVID-affected 2021 Australian Open, where restricted conditions made them practice partners. “She’s a very nice person and a very down-to-earth girl,” Svitolina said of the then-rising Swiatek. “We had a good time training together… I was just sharing my experiences with her” 11.

• United for Ukraine: This connection deepened amidst the tragedy of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In July 2022, as Swiatek solidified her World No. 1 status, she organized a charity exhibition match in Krakow, Poland. She specifically invited Svitolina to participate as the umpire. The event, also featuring Agnieszka Radwanska, raised an impressive €500,000 for United24, the Elina Svitolina Foundation, and UNICEF Poland 11.
• Wimbledon’s Embrace: Their most iconic on-court moment came in the 2023 Wimbledon quarterfinals. Svitolina, fresh back from maternity leave and playing as a wildcard, produced a stunning performance to defeat the top-seeded Swiatek 7-5, 6-7(5), 6-2. The match ended not just with a handshake but with a long, heartfelt embrace at the net – a powerful image of sportsmanship and mutual respect. “Iga is not only a great champion but an unbelievable person,” Svitolina stated afterward. Swiatek, gracious in defeat, emphasized their ability to compartmentalize: “I played the same kind of tennis. I was focused the same way. I wouldn’t say [friendship] had impact on me” 11.

Swiatek has since won their two encounters (Dubai and Miami 2024), and now this Roland Garros clash. But the underlying respect remains palpable. Their embrace after Tuesday’s match, while perhaps less dramatic than Wimbledon’s, undoubtedly carried the same weight of mutual admiration 11.

What’s Next: The Semifinal Hurdle and History Beckoning

• For Swiatek: The victory over Svitolina sets up a blockbuster French Open semifinal against World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, who earlier defeated Qinwen Zheng 7-6(3), 6-3 113. This is the marquee rivalry in women’s tennis, reignited on the biggest clay stage. Sabalenka, seeking her first Roland Garros title and riding high after reaching her 10th consecutive Grand Slam quarterfinal (a feat last achieved by Serena Williams), presents the ultimate test 13. Swiatek’s comeback against Rybakina and her commanding performance against Svitolina suggest she has rediscovered the form and belief needed to overcome this colossal challenge. A win would put her within touching distance of making history: becoming the first woman to win four consecutive French Open singles titles in the Open Era.
• For Svitolina: Despite the loss, Svitolina leaves Paris with her head held high. Her quarterfinal run, fueled by incredible fight and her refined aggressive game, marks another successful chapter in her inspiring post-motherhood career. The French Open scores and results confirm she is knocking loudly on the door of the Top 10 again. Her focus now shifts to grass, where she has historically excelled (Wimbledon semifinalist in 2019 and 2023). With her current form and confidence, she remains a significant threat for the remainder of the season.

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