Top-ranked Sabalenka ends Swiatek's 26-match French Open win streak

No. 1-ranked Aryna Sabalenka ended Iga Swiatek's 26-match French Open unbeaten streak and reached the final in Paris for the first time by using her pure power to dominate down the stretch and win their semifinal 7-6 (1), 4-6, 6-0 on Thursday.

Sabalenka's victory prevented Swiatek from becoming the first woman to win four consecutive championships at the clay-court Grand Slam tournament since professionals were admitted in 1968.

It also gives Sabalenka a chance to win her fourth major title, and first away from hard courts, after two at the Australian Open and one at the U.S. Open.

"It feels incredible, but I also understand that the job is not done yet," said Sabalenka, a 27-year-old from Belarus who took the top WTA ranking from Swiatek last October. "She's the toughest opponent, especially on the clay, especially at Roland-Garros. I'm proud that I was able to get this win. It was a tough match, but I managed it, somehow."

In Saturday's women's final, Sabalenka will face No. 2 Coco Gauff, who reached her second final at Roland-Garros by beating Lois Boisson 6-1, 6-2 on Thursday to end the surprising, upset-filled run by a French wild-card entry who is ranked No. 361.

This will be just the second No. 1 vs. No. 2 women's final at the French Open in the last 30 years.

It's also a rematch of the 2023 U.S. Open final, in which Gauff beat Sabalenka to claim her first major trophy at age 19.

Gauff was the runner-up to Swiatek at Roland-Garros in 2022.

Much to the chagrin of the 15,000 or so locals pulling for their countrywoman under a closed roof at Court Philippe-Chatrier on a drizzly day, Gauff vs. Boisson wasn't much of a contest, as might be expected from their rankings and relative experience.

Then again, that didn't