Unstoppable Sabalenka reaches the semi-finals in Rome!

There's no question about it, Aryna Sabalenka is getting better. Bereaved by the death of her ex-partner, then losing momentum for several weeks, tennis is once again smiling on the Belarusian. After a superb tournament in Madrid, where she eventually lost in the final despite three title bids (defeat 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 to Swiatek), the world number 2 is keeping up the pace in Rome.

Despite some tricky matches, she continues her rise to prominence. Facing Jelena Ostapenko in the quarter-finals, the 25-year-old locked up the match perfectly to win in just over an hour (6-2, 6-4). Very solid on serve (0 break points conceded) and as aggressive as ever in the exchange (12 winners, 11 unforced errors), it was by taking advantage of her opponent's inaccuracies (18 winners, 18 unforced errors, 4 double faults) that she calmly reached the semi-finals.

While a reunion with Swiatek in the final is becoming more and more credible, the Belarusian is showing all her qualities on clay. In the end, she may well be the player with the best chance of preventing the world number 1 from winning a fourth title in Paris.

This Thursday, for a place in the final, the world number 2 will face the winner of the duel between the irresistible Danielle Collins (15th) and the inexhaustible Victoria Azarenka (24th).