When the French Open draw was made a fortnight ago, it was the potential women’s match that everyone had their eye on.
Iga Swiatek – the reigning champion known as the ‘Queen of Clay’ – against world number one Aryna Sabalenka in the semi-finals.
The pair have dominated the WTA Tour over the past three years, leading to an era-defining rivalry that resumes when they meet in the last four at Roland Garros on Thursday.
“It is the blockbuster of the entire tournament on the women’s side,” said former world number nine Andrea Petkovic, who will be analysing the match for BBC Radio 5 Live.
Poland’s Swiatek, seeded fifth, is bidding for a fourth straight title while Belarusian rival Sabalenka is seeking to snatch the crown for the first time.
They have never played each other at the clay-court Grand Slam and it will be the first time they have met competitively since the Cincinnati Open last August.
Swiatek, 24, leads their head-to-head record, with eight wins from 12 matches, including five of six meetings on clay.
But with questions still lingering over the four-time champion’s game, can 27-year-old Sabalenka end her rival’s formidable record?
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