World No 1 Iga Swiatek suffers shock Olympic semi-final defeat to Zheng Qinwen

Swiatek has dominated on the Parisian clay, winning four French Open titles in the last five years and three in a row, but the best she can now hope for is a bronze medal after falling to a 6-2 7-5 defeat.

The Pole led 4-0 in the second set as she appeared to have turned the match around, but China's Zheng won four games in a row and eventually clinched victory against a frustrated Swiatek.

"I feel more than just happy -- happy isn't enough to describe how I feel," said Zheng, who had to come through two three-hour matches to make the semi-final.

"If you ask me to play another three hours for my country, I would.

"It was an amazing match. To beat Iga is not easy as it's an important event for her."

It is world number one Swiatek's first loss at Roland Garros since she was beaten by Maria Sakkari in the quarter-finals of the French Open in 2021.

Australian Open finalist Zheng, meanwhile, becomes the first Chinese player to reach an Olympic tennis final.