Sabalenka’s Dominant Performance
Aryna Sabalenka, the world No 1, secured her place in the last 16 of the French Open after defeating Daria Kasatkina with a score of 6-0, 7-5. This victory marks Sabalenka’s 100th win as a world No 1, setting up a highly anticipated match against Naomi Osaka.
The match, played on Court Suzanne-Lenglen, saw Sabalenka begin with strong form, hitting 16 winners in the first set. Kasatkina, who was the last Australian singles contender remaining in the tournament, struggled to counter Sabalenka’s power and accuracy.
Despite the dominant start, Kasatkina mounted a brief comeback in the second set, breaking Sabalenka’s serve to take a 2-0 lead. However, Sabalenka quickly regained control, ultimately closing out the match in 76 minutes with a total of 37 winners.
Reflections on the Victory
Following her fourth-round win, Aryna Sabalenka expressed satisfaction with her performance, particularly her serve. She noted that while it might not have been her best service game ever, it was her strongest of the tournament so far. Sabalenka also felt her game was improving with each match.
Sabalenka acknowledged the support from her team and friends present at the match. She mentioned her fiancé, two coaches, hitting partner, physio, fitness coach, manager, and agents. Additionally, friends who traveled from Los Angeles were described as her “lucky charm,” providing significant encouragement.
Looking Ahead to the Last 16
The upcoming match against Naomi Osaka is expected to be a significant encounter in the tournament. Sabalenka’s consistent performance and powerful play have positioned her as a strong contender as the tournament progresses.
The victory over Kasatkina concluded Australia’s challenge in the singles draw at the French Open for this year. Kasatkina had reached the third round for the second consecutive year, following Alex de Minaur’s earlier exit.
The conditions during the match were part of a seven-day European heatwave, though temperatures were forecast to drop the following day. Sabalenka had entered the match with a 7-2 head-to-head advantage over Kasatkina.
