Aryna Sabalenka may be gifted a 'big advantage' over Iga Swiatek in French Open semi-final according to Jim Courier

A blockbuster French Open semi-final has been set up between Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek.

Sabalenka and Swiatek have grown their relationship in recent years, as two of the top players on the WTA Tour.

However, this will be their first ever meeting in Paris, and Sabalenka has begun fighting talk against Swiatek.

Although this match appears to be truly in the balance, former world number one Jim Courier believes that Sabalenka may have been gifted some good news ahead of their French Open semi-final.

Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Jim Courier believes Aryna Sabalenka could have a big advantage over Iga Swiatek

Sabalenka overcame Qinwen Zheng in her quarter-final match, getting revenge over the Olympic champion after losing to her in Rome.

While her upcoming opponent and four-time French Open champion Iga Swiatek showcased her new tactic to beat Elina Svitolina.

This set up the French Open semi-final between the two WTA players who have won the most Grand Slam titles in the past three years.

When previewing that match on TNT Sports, former world number one Mats Wilander spoke about how the windy conditions may play into Swiatek’s hands.

“There is always a little bit of wind on Philippe Chatrier and I really feel like Iga is a great wind player,” said Wilander. “She can play with speed with the wind and she can push her opponents back and into the wind she can get some confidence by hitting the ball really hard. It really suits her game.

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“Then into the wind she has confidence from hitting it hard and I think it’s really important. I have never played a match which didn’t have some sort of wind.”

Two-time French Open champion Courier also mentioned the conditions in Paris, but actually suggested that potential incoming rain could cause the roof to be closed on Court Philippe-Chatrier.

This is something that Courier believes would actually benefit Sabalenka over the defending champion.

“Well, we never played with a roof and there is some weather which is moving into the area the next few days,” responded Courier. “There is a chance on Thursday that the roof could be closed which I think would be a big advantage for Sabalenka.”

Aryna Sabalenka vs Iga Swiatek Head-to-head

This will be a 13th meeting between the two multiple-time Grand Slam champions, with Swiatek leading the head-to-head after beating Sabalenka eight times.

Swiatek’s advantage over Sabalenka is exaggerated even further on clay, which includes the Madrid Open final last year that was voted ‘Match of the Year’.

While they have been big rivals on the WTA Tour, this will only be the second time that Sabalenka and Swiatek have played at a Grand Slam.

Their only previous match came at a major in 2022, when Swiatek beat Sabalenka in the US Open semi-finals en route to winning the title.

Sabalenka vs Swiatek Overall Head-to-head 8-4 Swiatek Head-to-head on clay 5-1 Swiatek Head-to-head at Grand Slams 1-0 Swiatek

Sabalenka and Swiatek will play their French Open semi-final on Thursday, June 5.

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