Aryna Sabalenka Claims Serena Williams ‘Wasn’t Really More Powerful’ Than Her After Reaching French Open Semifinal

Aryna Sabalenka and three-time defending champion Iga Swiatek are pitted against each other in the semifinal of the 2025 French Open.

Aryna Sabalenka Claims Serena Williams ‘Wasn’t Really More Powerful’ Than Her After Reaching French Open Semifinal

Aryna Sabalenka, Serena Williams (Image via X/We Are Tennis, #AusOpen)

Aryna Sabalenka has advanced to the semifinals of the French Open for just the second time. On Tuesday (June 3), she went past 2024 Paris Olympics champion Qinwen Zheng 7-6(3),6-3, ending her 10-match winning streak.

Sabalenka has now set up a blockbuster semifinal clash with rival Iga Swiatek. While Swiatek has seen ups and downs this season, the Belarusian has so far been the most consistent player on the WTA Tour.

Consistency she lacked when she was a newcomer. Her aggressive style of play helped her hit winners, but also resulted in her committing many unforced errors. But in strength, Sabalenka believes she is the best, that she hasn’t played a player more powerful than her.

Over the years, I evolved my game a lot. I think I’m ready to play against powerful players and whoever is gonna make me run and work for the point. Right now at this point in my career, I don’t really care. But when it comes to the power, I like it. Because then it’s like, ‘ok, you wanna see the power? Let me show you something’.

Aryna Sabalenka said at the press conference

She was then told that 23-time Grand Slam singles champion Serena Williams too said something similar when she defeated her in the 2021 Australian Open fourth round 6-4, 2-6, 6-4. Williams had reached the semifinal but lost to eventual winner Naomi Osaka in straight sets. When Sabalenka was asked if she considers Williams to be more powerful than her, she said:

I think that she wasn’t really more powerful than me in that match. But physically, she was better than me and she put more balls back on my side than I did. I didn’t really feel like she overpowered me in that game.

Sabalenka has not yet dropped a set in the clay-court Major and only a set (against Zheng) was extended into a tie-breaker. Before Paris, she made it to two finals on clay- in Stuttgart and Madrid, losing the former to Jelena Ostapenko and winning the latter by beating Coco Gauff.

Qinwen Zheng reveals whether Aryna Sabalenka is the most powerful player she has faced

Before arriving in Paris, Qinwen Zheng had knocked Aryna Sabalenka out of the Italian Open, registering her lone win over her. Progressing to the quarterfinal was her best performance at the French Open.

Aryna Sabalenka Miami Open
Aryna Sabalenka (Image via Instagram @arynasabalenka)

Sabalenka, on the other hand, is a semifinalist in the tournament. She reached the last four back in 2023, which she lost to Karolina Muchova. Last year, her campaign was ended by Mirra Andreeva in the quarterfinals. Zheng, at the press conference, was asked if Sabalenka was the hardest-hitting opponent she has faced.

When I hit with my sparring [in training] they are men so for sure they will hit harder than her, so for me it is not a problem. I just wish today I could do better on court and that’s it.

Qinwen Zheng replied

Sabalenka has extended her head-to-head record over the Chinese ace to 7-1. But against her semifinal opponent Iga Swiatek, the three-time Grand Slam singles champion has played 12 matches, winning four.

On clay, Swiatek holds a 5-1 lead and had defeated the Belarusian twice on the surface in last year’s Madrid Open and Italian Open finals. While Sabalenka is chasing her fourth title of the season (she also reached three more finals), Swiatek hasn’t yet tasted success since winning her fourth Roland Garros title by beating Jasmine Paolini last year.

Since that victory, the five-time Grand Slam champion also has not yet progressed to a final. Before scheduling the match against the World No.1, Swiatek moved past Elina Svitolina 6-1, 7-5. She has so far dropped one set- in the fourth round against rival Elena Rybakina.

Also read: Cameron Norrie Reveals the Most Underrated Aspect of Novak Djokovic’s Game After Roland Garros Exit