Error-prone Zheng Qinwen lets French Open chance slip, as Sabalenka powers into semi-finals
World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka beats Olympic champion for seventh time in eight matches. In England, Coleman Wong makes winning start on grass
Zheng Qinwen’s French Open dream ended on Tuesday in an error-strewn loss to Aryna Sabalenka, a player she has beaten only once in eight attempts.
After a surprise defeat in Rome last month, the World No 1 resumed normal service on the Paris clay, downing her opponent in straight sets, 7-6, 6-3.
The top seed from Belarus needed less than two hours to end the Olympic champion’s winning streak at Roland Garros, sealing herself a spot in the semi-finals of the year’s second grand slam at the expense of the Chinese eighth seed, who failed to take a set off her rival for the fifth time.
“The last tournament I was pretty exhausted,” the 27-year-old Sabalenka said. “Today I was more fresh I was ready to battle, to fight and give everything.
“Honestly, I was actually glad that I lost that match because I needed a little break before Roland Garros.”
On Tuesday, Sabalenka once again got the upper hand over Zheng, who had been on a winning streak of 10 matches on the Paris clay after her run to Olympic gold last year.