Sabalenka Fights Past Jacquemot to Reach French Open Third Round

Sabalenka advances after testing win over Jacquemot

Aryna Sabalenka weathered an early fightback from Jacquemot before pulling away 7-5, 6-2 to reach the French Open third round.

Top seed Aryna Sabalenka recovered from a first-set scare to beat Elsa Jacquemot and advance at Roland Garros...

Aryna Sabalenka shook off a shaky start to defeat French wildcard Elsa Jacquemot 7-5, 6-2 on Thursday and advance to the third round of the French Open.

The world No. 1 and last year’s runner-up had to grind for around an hour, as Jacquemot thrilled the home crowd with a series of eye-catching winners.

Aryna Sabalenka grabbed an early break with a blistering forehand to lead 3-1, but Jacquemot responded immediately to break back.

A battle in the first set before finding her groove, Aryna Sabalenka is through to R3 🔜#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/RoGHKHUDpQ

— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 28, 2026

With men’s world No. 1 Jannik Sinner falling in five sets to Juan Manuel Cerundolo earlier in the day, Sabalenka also had to battle hard in the opening set against the world No. 67.

Sabalenka had set point at 5-4 on Jacquemot’s serve, but the French player, playing to a vocal home crowd, matched her power with pinpoint accuracy to level the set.

The top seed stayed composed and took the opener on her third set point, and from there she never let up.

She broke right at the start of the second set and surged to a 3-0 lead, leaving a fading Jacquemot with no way back.

A four-time Grand Slam champion, Sabalenka is still chasing her first French Open title.

“It's always challenging playing her,” the top seed said. “She's a fighter. She's putting all of the balls back. You have to really work for each point, especially on the clay court.”

She will face Australia’s Daria Kasatkina in the next round.

Dance battle update:

Novak hit the Michael Jackson moves yesterday...

Stay tuned to our socials to see the "Danswer" 🕺 #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/VLt46SSRod

— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 28, 2026