• Aryna Sabalenka defeated Zheng Qinwen 7-6 (3), 6-3 to reach the French Open semi-finals.
• Sabalenka overcame an early break and a slow start to secure her victory.
• The world number one aims for her first French Open title in the upcoming semi-finals.

World number one Aryna Sabalenka recovered from a slow start to systematically defeat Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen in a 7-6 (3), 6-3 victory, propelling her into the French Open semi-finals. After suffering her first loss to Zheng in seven career meetings during the Rome quarter-finals, Sabalenka faced an early setback but regained her composure on a breezy Court Philippe-Chatrier. “I didn't start well, and I'm glad I found my rhythm and won,” she remarked, emphasizing her desire to finally claim the esteemed trophy at Roland Garros, according to Reuters and Al Jazeera.

In the match, Sabalenka not only showcased her resilience but also tight performance metrics, minimizing errors compared to Zheng. While Zheng broke for a 2-1 lead early on, the Belarusian responded by leveling the set and later took control in the tie-break. Sabalenka’s victory solidified her status as a strong contender for the championship, having yet to drop a set in this year's tournament. The match highlighted a contrast in error counts, with Zheng committing 31 unforced errors compared to Sabalenka’s 18, according to BBC and Reuters.

Sabalenka now advances to a highly anticipated semi-final match against either three-time defending champion Iga Swiatek or Elina Svitolina, both of whom are formidable players in their own right. With three titles already this year and a fierce determination to avenge her earlier loss at the Australian Open, Sabalenka is poised to take a significant step towards capturing her first French Open title, according to BBC and Al Jazeera.