Swiatek outclasses Gauff to reach French Open semi-finals

Holder Iga Swiatek was tested by American sixth seed Coco Gauff but the world number one showed her class to secure a 6-4 6-2 victory and reach the semi-finals of the French Open.

The top seed will take on Brazil's Beatriz Haddad Maia in the last four as she continues her bid for a third crown in four years at Roland Garros and her fourth Grand Slam title overall.

"It was not easy," said Swiatek, the first player since Conchita Martinez in 1995 to drop 15 games or fewer en route to the semi-finals in Paris.

"Especially the first set. It was tight and Coco was using the conditions well, so I was happy that I was able to win. The quarter-finals are sometimes the toughest matches.

"Today was a tighter match. I'll be ready for the next one."

Swiatek has adopted a more ruthless approach to her title defence dishing out four bagels in as many rounds but the Pole found the going tougher against a determined Gauff in the see-sawing opening set on Court Philippe Chatrier.

Elsewhere, Haddad Maia was left stunned following her quarter-final victory over seventh seed Ons Jabeur, crediting her patience for landing the biggest win of her career.

The 27-year-old battled from a set down to win a second set tiebreak before running away with the third for a 3-6 7-6(5) 6-1 victory and a first ever spot in the last four.