Dominant third set puts Aryna Sabalenka closer to tennis royalty following French Open semis

Aryna Sabalenka left no doubt who rules women's tennis with a dominant third set against three-time defending French Open champion Iga Swiatek during the first of two Thursday semifinals.

After a tough first two sets, Sabalenka cruised in the third, winning the match 7-6, 4-6, 6-0.

With the win, the three-time major winner advanced to her first final at Roland-Garros. Sabalenka's previous best finish was the 2023 semis when she lost to Karolina Muchova.

Swiatek entered the semis having won 26 consecutive matches at the French Open. In six previous appearances at the year's second tennis major, Swiatek had a .946 win percentage, going 35-2 with four titles.

Per the TNT Sports broadcast, Sabalenka became just the second player to defeat Swiatek twice on clay, previously winning the 2023 Madrid Open final.

While Swiatek admirably defended her French Open crown, Sabalenka's dominant third set showed why she should be considered the favorite to win her first title at Roland-Garros and fourth at a grand slam event.

Per Infosys, Sabalenka a won a remarkable 80 percent of her return points (12-of-15) in the last set. For the match, Sabalenka was 43-of-79 on return points and converted eight of 10 break points.

Sabalenka's three major titles since the start of 2023 are the most on the women's tour. She won the 2023 and 2024 Australian Open and 2024 U.S. Open. In January, Sabalenka reached her third consecutive Aussie Open final, losing to Madison Keys in three sets.

Per ESPN's "SportsCenter" social media account, with her French Open semifinal win on Thursday, Sabalenka became the first woman to reach the final of three consecutive major tournaments since Serena Williams (2016).