New York (AFP)
Tunisian Anas Jabeur has become the first African player to reach the final of the United States Championship, the last of the four Grand Slam tournaments, where she will face the Polish world number one Iga Swiwentek.
Fifth-seeded Jaber beat French seventeenth Caroline Garcia 6-1 6-3, and Šviontik defeated sixth Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka 3-6, 6-1, 6-4.
This is another impressive result for Gaber, having also become the first African woman to reach the Wimbledon final in July.
Gaber dominated Garcia from start to finish in a one-sided match that lasted regarding an hour.
“The feeling is great, following Wimbledon I felt a lot of pressure on me, and I’m really relieved to keep my results,” said the 28-year-old Tunisian.
The daughter of Qasr Hilal continued, “The season of hardwood floors started somewhat badly, but I am happy to reach the final here.”
In the second match, Švontić came from behind once morest Sabalenka to win three sets 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 at Arthur Ashe Stadium. This is the first time that the two-time Roland Garros champion has reached the final of the Flushing Meadows Championship.
Sabalenka was looking to qualify for the first major final of her career, following missing out on the semi-finals of Wimbledon and Flushing Meadows last year, but the 24-year-old slipped, wasting her lead in the third set.