It hasn't all been plain sailing for the 'Queen of Clay'.

Defending champion Iga Swiatek battled back from a disastrous start to beat Elena Rybakina in a three-set thriller to book her place in the French Open quarter-finals.

The Polish fifth seed won only one of the opening nine games before finding form to triumph 1-6 6-3 7-5 against the 12th seed.

Victory was Swiatek's 25th in a row at the French Open as she bids to win her fifth title in six years.

"She really pushed me," said the four-time champion at Roland Garros. "First set, I felt like I was playing against Jannik Sinner.

"I needed to do something to get back into the game. With her playing like that I didn't have a lot of hope. At the end, I was able to play my game, and I am super happy."

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Iga Swiatek has been nicknamed the 'Queen of Clay' because of her dominance at Roland Garros, but has faced questions about her form leading up to the tournament.

The five-time Grand Slam-winner has not won a title – or even reached a final – since victory in Paris 12 months ago.

Following her victory over Elena Rybakina, she said: "It means a lot. I think I needed that kind of win to feel these feelings that I'm able to win under pressure.

"And even if it's not going the right way, you know, to still turn the match around to win it. For sure it's a great confirmation for me. I wanted to have a match like that."

So, Aryna Sabalenka's reward for victory in the quarter-final...

A potential match-up against the Queen of Clay Iga Swiatek or Elina Svitolina.

They're quarter-final is next up on Court Philippe-Chatrier.

On reaching the semi-finals without dropping a single set, Aryna Sabalenka added:

"I think we are all here for one reason: everyone wants that beautiful trophy. I'm really glad that I have another opportunity, another semi-final, to do better than I did last time. I'm ready to go out there and fight and compete for every point.

"I really hope that by the end of the clay-court season this year I will be very proud of myself."

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Here's what world number one Aryna Sabalenka had to say, speaking on court after sealing her semi-final spot:

"That was a true battle. Honestly I have no idea how I was able to break her back and get back in the first set. I was just trying to fight and I was just trying to put as many balls as I could back in. I didn't start well but I'm really glad I found my rhythm and won this match. It was a tough one.

"Guys, thank you so much for that atmosphere. You guys are amazing honestly. Thank you."

On the adjustments she made after losing to Zheng Qinwen in Rome just a few weeks ago:

"I have to say that in the last tournament I was pretty exhausted. Honestly, I was actually glad that I lost that match because I needed a little break before Roland Garros.

"I was just more fresh today and I was ready to battle, fight and leave everything that I have on court to get this win. I think that's about it. I'm really happy with the win."

Elsewhere, Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski are currently bidding for a place in the men's doubles semi-finals, but they're a break down in the first set against Australians Matthew Ebden and John Peers.

Earlier, fellow Briton Henry Patten and Finland's Harri Heliovaara exited in their quarter-final, losing in straight sets.

Next up on Court Philippe Chatrier, it's the turn of four-time champion Iga Swiatek and Ukraine's Elina Svitolina to go head-to-head for a semi-final meeting with Aryna Sabalenka.

Then, it'll be the turn of the men, with Italy's Lorenzo Musetti facing American Frances Tiafoe before defending champion Carlos Alcaraz meets American Tommy Paul.

Greg Rusedski
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds

What a performance from the world number one! Her biggest test of this event and she comes through in flying colours.

After going down a break in the first set, the match just turned on a dime. She was just by far the better player from there on in. She just pushed so far in those last five points.

Absolutely brilliant from the Belarusian.

It will be defending champion Iga Swiatek or Elina Svitolina in the semi-finals for Aryna Sabalenka, who on current form has to be the favourite for the title this week at Roland Garros.

She has matched her best ever run at the French Open, but she is targeting far more than that here.

A couple of excellent winners from Aryna Sabalenka keeps the world number one interested on Zheng Qinwen's serve from 40-0 down, and another powerful groundstroke then helps her to deuce.

Sabalenka wants to get this done right away, and she will have her first match point here.

Incredible ball striking from Aryna Sabalenka, who eventully overpowers Zheng Qinwen with a blistering forehand that would take the racquet out of the hands of you and I - if we could even get close to it.

That's a huge hold of serve for the world number one, now eyeing up a fifth consecutive straight-set win at Roland Garros.

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Now Aryna Sabalenka really can see the finish line, but Zheng Qinwen is going to push her all the way as we move towards the two-hour mark.

Zheng reaches 30-30 as she lifts a drop shot over, and the wind perhaps plays a part as Sabalenka nets for deuce. The crowd offers support to both players before key points.

Argh, that is so, so frustrating for Zheng Qinwen. The eighth seed capitulates on serve and hands the break straight back to Aryan Sabalenka.

After all that great work, too. She's been right in this apart from those few costly moments on serve.

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Greg Rusedski
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds

Usually the line judge is going to spot on with that kind of call. It must have just missed by a few millimetres. We were lucky enough to see the replay and it was wide.

A great response from Zheng Qinwen, but it all started with the double fault on the opening point after breaking. I think that's why Aryna Sabalenka was so cross.

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We have a real scrap here now. Zheng Qinwen is struggling on serve again and Aryna Sabalenka finds herself at 0-30.

Oh no! Another double fault for Zheng and once again it looks set to prove extremely costly.

Three break points.

What a response that is from Zheng Qinwen!

A brilliant game just when she desperately needed it brings the Chinese eighth seed back level.

We're 100 minutes in - and we could have a long way to go yet.

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Greg Rusedski
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds

Very impressive. The big points have been the difference today.

Aryna Sabalenka has had more shot variety, she has been more positive and she has been making her opponent play the big points.

You can just see the tactical astuteness of the world number one, with Zheng Qinwen not being nearly as decisive.

A roar of disapproval from Aryna Sabalenka after she double-faults on the opening point as she looks to consolidate her advantage.

Zheng pounces on a return to once again make her way to 0-30. Can she finally force a break point?

Goodness me! Sabalenka is left applauding her opponent as Zheng crashes a spectacular return down the line to set up a couple of break points.

That's the breakthrough for Aryna Sabalenka!

The sustained pressure eventually pays off as the world number one picks her spot with a backhand to go a set and a break up on Court Philippe Chatrier.

She's going to take some stopping from here.

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