Swiatek into French final as Gauff rages at umpire call

Iga Swiatek moved one step away from a fourth French Open title as Coco Gauff was reduced to tears during her semi-final exit.

An emotional Gauff had a blazing row with umpire Aurelie Tourte, telling the official she “should be ashamed” for not overturning a call.

The 20-year-old American then wiped tears from her eyes as boos rang out all around Court Philippe Chatrier.

World number one Swiatek, a seemingly unstoppable force at Roland Garros, went on to register her 20th consecutive win here, 6-2 6-4.

Swiatek is now just one victory away from becoming the first woman to claim three consecutive French Open titles since Justine Henin in 2007.

It was another disheartening afternoon for Gauff, who is on the wrong half of one of sport’s most one-sided rivalries.

Swiatek has now won 11 of their 12 meetings, and did not drop a single set in any of those victories.

The Pole was already a set ahead, thanks in no small part to 18 unforced errors from Gauff’s racket, when the American returned a Swiatek serve as it was called out.

Tourte overruled the call and, when the return floated out, awarded the point to Swiatek, to Gauff’s utter disbelief.

“He called it and then I hit it. I’m a thousand per cent sure,” Gauff raged. “If he called it before I hit it, I stop my reaction. I didn’t even finish my follow-through.”

Tourte was adamant the call did not affect Gauff’s shot.

“You’re wrong,” insisted Gauff. “It’s the second time that happened. You should be ashamed. It’s a grand slam semi-final, know the rules of the game.”

Gauff, fuelled by a sense of injustice, went on to break Swiatek’s serve for the first time in the match to lead 3-1 in the second set.

But Swiatek hit back and although Gauff saved three match points, a forehand wide on the fourth sent the favourite through to another Paris final.