Aryna Sabalenka defeated Daria Kasatkina in straight sets to book her place in the fourth round.
There, she will meet Japan’s Naomi Osaka, who beat Iva Jovic earlier on Saturday.
Is this one of the the best match-ups on the entire WTA Tour?
Who is taking the win at Roland Garros? 👀
During her latest post-match press conference, Sabalenka rated Osaka’s current level.
Aryna Sabalenka still doesn’t think Naomi Osaka is back to her ‘best level’ ahead of their French Open match
“It’s great to see her back at her level, back, maybe not at her best level, but she’s back,” said Sabalenka.
“She’s fighting, building her level.
“It’s nice to see, she’s a great player, great person.
“I feel like I really enjoy our battles, they are high-level matches, and I really enjoy it when someone really pushes me to the limit.”
Sabalenka and Osaka have met three times previously, in Madrid, Indian Wells, and New York.
The Belarusian leads their head-to-head 2-1, thanks to two wins earlier this year.
Aryna Sabalenka and Naomi Osaka’s head-to-head record
| Match | Winner | Loser | Score |
| 2026 French Open – 4R | – | – | – |
| 2026 Madrid Open – 4R | Aryna Sabalenka | Naomi Osaka | 6-7, 6-3, 6-2 |
| 2026 Indian Wells – 4R | Aryna Sabalenka | Naomi Osaka | 6-2, 6-4 |
| 2018 US Open – 4R | Naomi Osaka | Aryna Sabalenka | 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 |
“I feel like the last one in Madrid was a really tight match with a great level,” said Sabalenka.
“She really stepped in and raised her level in the last match.
“I’m just ready for the fight; I’m ready to go there and fight for that match, for the win.
“Ready to do anything it takes to get the win.”
Fighting talk from the world number one!
How did Aryna Sabalenka beat Daria Kasatkina?
Sabalenka was expected to make light work of Kasatkina in the third round, and after the first set, you would have said she’d done just that.
The 28-year-old won the opener 6-0, but was met with far more resistance in the second.
Holding off the fightback from the Aussie, Sabalenka defeated Kasatkina 6-0, 6-4 to book her place in the last 16.
During her post-match press conference, Sabalenka was asked if she prefers to win hard-fought sets or to dominate her opponents.
“I don’t know,” she said.
“I like both, you know!
Aryna Sabalenka vs Daria Kasatkina – Match stats
| Stats | Aryna Sabalenka | Daria Kasatkina |
| Aces | 1 | 1 |
| Double faults | 2 | 4 |
| 1st Serve % | 71% | 73% |
| Win % on 1st Serve | 73% | 55% |
| Win % on 2nd Serve | 57% | 46% |
| Break points | 5/10 | 1/2 |
“But it’s also good to be tested, to feel the fight, to activate the fight mode, to feel the pressure a little bit. I feel it’s a good preparation for the second week.”
She was, however, happy to get the job done in straight sets.
“Yeah, super happy with the level, happy to get the win in straight sets. She’s a tough opponent, and once again, happy to close the match in straight sets,” said Sabalenka.
Sabalenka is one of seven players in the fourth round who have yet to drop a set in the women’s singles draw.
WTA players in the last 16 who haven’t dropped a set at the French Open
- Aryna Sabalenka
- Diana Shnaider
- Belinda Bencic
- Iga Swiatek
- Jil Teichmann
- Sorana Cirstea
- Wang Xiyu
She won’t want to drop a set against Osaka in the fourth round, but will know better than to underestimate the four-time Grand Slam champion.
If Sabalenka wants to advance to the quarter-finals, she will likely need to find her best tennis in the last 16.
Sabalenka and Osaka will contest their fourth-round match on Monday, June 1.
