French Open 2026: Sabalenka Overcomes Kasatkina After Sinner, Djokovic Exits
Sabalenka earned her 100th win as world No.1 by beating Kasatkina in straight sets. She now faces four-time major winner Osaka in the French Open last-16.
After upsets to Sinner and Djokovic, Sabalenka restored order at Roland Garros with a 6-0, 7-5 win over Kasatkina and will meet Osaka for a quarter-final spot...
Aryna Sabalenka cut through the drama at Roland Garros as world No.1, beating Daria Kasatkina 6-0, 7-5 on Saturday. The win sent her into the French Open fourth round after two days of major upsets shook the draw.
With top seed Jannik Sinner and 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic both out in the last 48 hours, Sabalenka steadied things. Her dominant performance set up a blockbuster last-16 clash against Japan’s Naomi Osaka.
“It has definitely been a great week,” Sabalenka said during her on-court interview.
“I'm happy to be through to the second week, happy with my level, and to be able to handle the fight that she brought and get a straight-sets win.
"Thank you (to the crowd). Honestly, that's just a dream to play in front of you all and feel the support.”
The 28-year-old learned mid-match that it was her 100th win as world No.1, making her the ninth woman to reach that mark since WTA rankings began.
Sabalenka now joins Navratilova, Graf, Evert, Serena Williams, Hingis, Seles, Henin and Swiatek on that list.
“I've got goosebumps,” Sabalenka said. She once battled dips in form and severe service problems a few years back.
“It means the world to me and I'm just happy that in the tough moments I stayed tough. I was fighting and never gave up and that is what it has brought me.
“I'm super proud of myself and my team. We've reached an amazing level that felt impossible.”
Sabalenka came out firing on a sun-baked Court Suzanne Lenglen, racing to a 5-0 lead with heavy baseline power and sharp net play. She then saved 15-40 to hold and close out the set 6-0.
100 wins as World No.1 ✅#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/ZLykgf06U3
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 30, 2026
Kasatkina, who switched to represent Australia last year, broke back and held early in the second to spark “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie” chants. The crowd went quiet again as Sabalenka regained control.
💥 @SabalenkaA battles through!
— wta (@WTA) May 30, 2026
Round of 16 🔜#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/lhGxZrzgSr
An unforced error from Kasatkina let Sabalenka level at 2-2. The four-time Grand Slam winner hung tough before turning up the pressure late to take it, making her record 8-2 against Kasatkina.
Next up is Naomi Osaka, with Sabalenka holding a 2-1 head-to-head edge. She’s chasing her first French Open title after losing to Coco Gauff in last year’s final, and a win would put her in the quarter-finals.
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