Aryna Sabalenka Beats Elina Svitolina to Reach 2023 French Open Semifinals

• Aryna Sabalenka reached the semifinal round of the 2023 French Open
• She won her match against Elina Svitolina in straight sets on Tuesday
• Ukraine’s Svitolina refused to shake hands with her Belarusian opponent after the match

Aryna Sabalenka is moving on to the semifinals of the 2023 French Open.

She needed just one hour and 36 minutes to record a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Elina Svitolina in their quarterfinal match on Tuesday.

It was an impressive win by Sabalenka, who moved within two victories of nabbing the world number one spot in the WTA rankings.

Sabalenka edges past Svitolina

The reigning Australian Open champion blasted 30 winners and won 64 percent of her first serve points against Svitolina, per Roland Garros.

Sabalenka’s serve worked in this contest with the world No. 2, allowing just one break-point opportunity in the quarters. Conversely, the Belarusian won 43 percent of her receiving points and converted three of her nine break-point chances.

Barcelona’s Path to La Liga Glory: 5 Essential Games From Their Championship Pursuit

Football

She first broke Svitolina’s serve in the ninth game of the first set to grab a 5-4 lead, per Tennis.com.

Sabalenka then served out the opening set a little later, with the Ukrainian looping a backhand wide.

Sabalenka rallies in second set

The Ukrainian battled back in the second set, racing to a 2-0 lead after Sabalenka hit her 23rd unforced error.

She couldn’t take advantage, with the Belarusian breaking Svitolina’s serve in two of the next three games to take a 3-2 lead in the second set.

Sabalenka ended the contest with a forehand winner, converting her second match point to book a spot in the final four.

Fans boo Svitolina after snub

Some fans inside Court Philippe-Chatrier booed Svitolina after she went straight to her bench following her loss, per France24.

She refused to shake the hands of Sabalenka, who waited at the net after her win. Svitolina has refused to shake hands with players from Russia and Belarus following the war in Ukraine.

Cristiano Ronaldo scores net-breaking goal to seal dramatic comeback win for Al Nassr

Football

Rune and Ruud renew rivalry

Sports Brief recently previewed the French Open quarterfinal between Holger Rune and Casper Ruud.

They recorded contrasting victories in the fourth round to set up a rematch of last year’s quarterfinal.

Ruud defeated Nicolas Jarry in straight sets, while Rune outlasted Francisco Cerundolo in five sets.