Aryna Sabalenka recovered from a break down to reach the French Open semi-finals, beating Zheng Qinwen in an entertaining encounter on Court Philippe-Chatrier on Tuesday.
Sabalenka, who has never been beyond the last four at Roland-Garros, had cruised past Kamilla Rakhimova, Jil Teichmann, Olga Danilovic and Amanda Anisimova in the first four rounds.
Her record of not dropping a set in the French capital looked to be under threat when Zheng broke in the third game, rifling a pair of forehand winners past the world number one.
Sabalenka looked to be uncomfortable as a miss at the net cost Zheng a second break, but the Belarusian got the break back in game eight with a thumping backhand.
Though Sabalenka missed opportunities to break in each of Zheng's next two service games, the top seed found an extra gear to take the opening set in a tie-break.
Zheng could have wilted when Sabalenka broke again in the fifth game of the second set, but she responded brilliantly with an immediate break back, receiving applause from her opponent after one spectacular winner down the line.
But Sabalenka would not be denied. She overpowered Zheng to break again in the very next game, and another break got her over the line just short of the two-hour mark.
After registering a 7-6 (7-3) 6-3 success, the three-time grand slam champion will now face either Iga Swiatek or Elina Svitolina for a place in Saturday's final.
Data Debrief: Sabalenka out on her own
Sabalenka had barely been challenged en route to the last eight, and though Zheng gave her a sterner examination, the Belarusian proved too astute on the big points.
She is into her 11th grand slam semi-final since the start of 2020, the most of any player on the WTA tour. Swiatek (seven) is the only other player to reach more than five.
Sabalenka also improved her win percentage against top-10 opponents at grand slams to 70% with her victory over eighth-seeded Zheng.
Since 1990, only Steffi Graf (75.3%), Swiatek (75%) and Martina Navratilova (70.6%) have a better record.
