Aryna Sabalenka has been the dominant force on the WTA Tour for years now, and deservedly holds the world number one spot.
And, she continues to be a perfect ambassador for the sport, as arguably the biggest figure in the women’s game.
Her blend of incredible power and recently-added precision has made her a mainstay at the back-end of almost every tournament she enters, with Roland Garros no different.
As she seeks to right the wrongs of last year’s loss in the final, Aryna Sabalenka has spoken on-court after reaching the second week in Paris whilst also reaching a new career milestone.
Aryna Sabalenka reacts after reaching huge milestone at Roland Garros
After cruising through the opening set against Daria Kasatkina by a 6-0 scoreline, the Belarusian did well to quell the Australian’s fightback in the second set.
And, after closing the match out, Sabalenka discussed how it felt to once again be in the second week at Roland Garros.
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The world number one claimed: “Definitely, great week, happy to be in the second week, happy with the level I played, with the fight that she brought and I could handle it and close the match in straight sets. Of course, guys, thank you for the atmosphere, honestly, that’s the dream, to play in front of you all, and feel the support, thank you so much, merci beaucoup.”
Then, when told she has joined an esteemed list of players to have won 100 matches as a world number one, Sabalenka added: “You saying that, I have goosebumps. It means the world, it means a lot.
“I’m happy that in those tough moments I stayed tough, I was fighting, never gave up, that’s where it brought me. I’m super proud of myself, my team, of course, that we have been able to reach an amazing level; it almost feels impossible, but super proud of that.”
Other superstars to have managed that feat include Martina Navratilova, Serena Williams and Chris Evert, to name but a few.
This speech comes days after Sabalenka sent a message to the French crowd after how they have treated her over the past week.
Aryna Sabalenka faces Naomi Osaka next at Roland Garros
In beating Kasatkina, Sabalenka secured her spot in the fourth round, knowing that she would face the winner of Iva Jovic’s match against Naomi Osaka.
In dramatic fashion, the four-time Grand Slam champion came out on top, thus setting up a clash of the titans for a spot in the quarter-finals.
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This will be the third time these two heavy hitters have faced one another in their careers, and their second meeting this year.
Sadly for the Japanese superstar, she has lost them both, although their most recent clash in Madrid went the distance.
Osaka has been handed some really unlucky draws over the past few years. It’s just a positive that this latest one, against Sabalenka, at least comes in the second week.
