Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the French Open quarter-finals with a hard-fought victory over Naomi Osaka on Tuesday evening.
Sabalenka, the overwhelming favourite to win her first Roland Garros title, defeated the four-time Grand Slam champion 7-5, 6-3 on Court Philippe Chatrier.
Who is Aryna Sabalenka’s biggest threat for the Roland Garros title now?
The contest drew particular interest from onlookers as it was the first women’s singles match scheduled in the Roland Garros night slot for three years.
Sabalenka will be hoping to reach the Roland Garros semi-finals for a second consecutive year when she plays Diana Shnaider on Wednesday.
The Belarusian has already made history ahead of her clash against Shnaider, emulating Serena Williams’ incredible early-career feat.
Aryna Sabalenka emulates Serena Williams
Aryna Sabalenka qualified for her 14th consecutive Grand Slam quarter-finals with victory over Naomi Osaka on Monday night.
As per statisticians OptaAce, Sabalenka has become the first player since Serena Williams to make 14 consecutive major quarter-final appearances.
Serena – who recently announced her return to the WTA Tour – qualified for 16 consecutive Grand Slam quarter-final matches between Wimbledon 2000 and the 2005 Australian Open.
Serena’s run came to an end at the 2005 US Open when she was beaten by Amelie Mauresmo in the fourth round.
As for Sabalenka, the last time she did not reach the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam event was four years ago.
At the 2022 French Open, Sabalenka was defeated in the third round by 28th seed Camila Giorgi; who is set to make her return to the WTA Tour next year.
Aryna Sabalenka’s last 14 Grand Slam results
- 2022 US Open – Semi-finals
- 2023 Australian Open – Champion
- 2023 Roland Garros – Semi-finals
- 2023 Wimbledon – Semi-finals
- 2023 US Open – Runner-up
- 2024 Australian Open – Champion
- 2024 Roland Garros – Quarter-finals
- 2024 US Open – Champion
- 2025 Australian Open – Runner-up
- 2025 Roland Garros – Runner-up
- 2025 Wimbledon – Semi-finals
- 2025 US Open – Champion
- 2026 Australian Open – Runner-up
Aryna Sabalenka’s Roland Garros debut
Aryna Sabalenka made her Roland Garros debut in 2017.
Sabalenka was defeated in the first round of qualifying by İpek Soylu, 6-4, 1-6, 6-7.
A year later, Sabalenka returned to the event – yet she was again unable to win a match at the tournament.
The Belarusian, then 20 years old, was comprehensively beaten on her main draw debut by Dutch player Kiki Bertens.
Sabalenka finally secured her first victory at the event in 2019, beating former WTA Finals champion Dominika Cibulkova.
The Belarusian was defeated in the second round by Amanda Anisimova, 2-6, 4-6.
