Aryna Sabalenka faced a formidable challenge in securing her place in the fourth round of the French Open, narrowly avoiding dropping her first set of the tournament against her close friend, Paula Badosa. The world No 2 demonstrated her strength and determination, ultimately emerging victorious with a 7-5 6-1 win. The two players, who have shared a strong bond since 2021, left everything on the court, with Sabalenka’s exceptional performance keeping her hopes for a maiden Roland Garros title alive.
This triumph represented a significant accomplishment for Sabalenka, as she joined fellow top seeds Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, and Elena Rybakina in the fourth round, marking the first time the top four seeds in the women’s singles have reached the R16 at Roland Garros since 2013. Following her hard-fought win, Sabalenka acknowledged the challenge of facing her best friend on the court and praised Badosa’s incredible abilities as a player.
Meanwhile, world No 4 Elena Rybakina gracefully advanced into the fourth round with a commanding 6-4 6-2 victory over Belgium’s Elise Mertens. The former Wimbledon champion showcased her prowess on the Paris red clay, aiming to surpass her previous quarter-finalist performance in 2021. Rybakina’s confidence and improved serving in the second set allowed her to seal the match in just over an hour, solidifying her reputation as a formidable force in the tournament.
Rybakina is now only the third player to achieve multiple Grand Slam R16s on both clay and grass courts since the start of the 2020 season, following in the footsteps of Ons Jabeur and Iga Swiatek. Her impressive performance at the French Open further cements her status as a rising star in the world of tennis.
As fans eagerly anticipate the upcoming Wimbledon, they can look forward to witnessing the biggest tennis stars in action during the grass-court season. With the WTA and ATP Tours set to unfold throughout 2024 on Sky Sports Tennis, viewers can catch all the thrilling matches as the competition heats up. The grass-court season promises to deliver unparalleled excitement as the tennis stars showcase their skills in preparation for the prestigious Wimbledon tournament.
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