Aryna Sabalenka Advances to French Open Quarterfinals
Aryna Sabalenka has continued her impressive journey towards securing her first French Open title, defeating Naomi Osaka in a thrilling match that saw the Belarusian world number one overcome a challenging start to reach the quarterfinals. The match, which took place during the first women’s night-session at Roland Garros in three years, showcased Sabalenka’s resilience and determination.
Sabalenka, who has consistently reached at least the quarterfinals in her last 14 Grand Slam appearances, will now face Russian player Diana Shnaider in the next round. Reflecting on her performance, Sabalenka praised Osaka’s aggressive style of play, stating, “She is such a great player, she plays a super aggressive tennis.” She expressed satisfaction with her serve and overall performance, adding, “I’m super happy with my serve. I’m super pleased overall with the performance today.”
The match against Osaka began with the Japanese player taking an early 2-0 lead after a double fault from Sabalenka. However, the Belarusian quickly responded by breaking back and seizing control of the game. A powerful service return helped Sabalenka take a 6-5 lead, as Osaka struggled to handle the pressure. Despite a tough hold for 3-3, Sabalenka broke again for 4-3, ending a long rally with a subtle half volley.
Osaka, who was playing in the fourth round at Roland Garros for the first time, could not maintain her momentum and eventually lost the remaining games, bowing out on Sabalenka’s first match point.
Shnaider’s Upset and Emerging Stars
Meanwhile, Russian player Diana Shnaider made headlines by defeating American 19th seed Madison Keys, who had previously beaten Sabalenka in the 2025 Australian Open final. Shnaider won the match 6-3, 3-6, 6-0, marking an upset that places Sabalenka among three players in the women’s draw who have advanced past the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam.
One of the most surprising names in the last eight is Poland’s Maja Chwalińska, who is making her main-draw debut in Paris. Chwalińska, ranked world number 114, knocked out the last French player in either singles draw by defeating Diane Parry 6-3, 6-2 on Court Philippe-Chatrier. She will now face Russian 22nd seed Anna Kalinskaya, who beat former countrywoman Anastasia Potapova 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(10/7) to achieve her career-best major mark with her second quarterfinal berth.
Italian Players Keep the Tricolore Alive
On the men’s side of the draw, Italian players Matteo Arnaldi, Flavio Cobolli, and Matteo Berrettini ensured that Italian fans still had someone to cheer for despite top seed Jannik Sinner’s early exit.
Tenth seed Cobolli defeated American Zachary Svajda 6-2, 6-3, 6-7(3/7), 7-6(7/5), while Berrettini overcame Juan Manuel Cerundolo, who had stunned Sinner in the second round. Berrettini’s 6-3, 7-6(7/2), 7-6(7/6) victory marks his first journey past the fourth round of a slam since the 2022 US Open.
Berrettini will now face Arnaldi in a battle of the Matteos after the latter reached the last eight of a major for the first time with a marathon win over American 19th seed Frances Tiafoe. The match ended after 1am in Paris, having run for five hours and 26 minutes before Arnaldi finally won 7-6(7/5), 6-7(5/7), 3-6, 7-6(7/3), 6-4.
Arnaldi described the match as one of the most intense he had ever played, saying, “I don’t know how I’m standing here to be honest. We live to play these matches.” He added, “At one point it wasn’t tennis, it was just something else; you were just playing with everything you had.”
Canadian Star Felix Auger-Aliassime
Canadian fourth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime also made it to the quarterfinals, defeating Chilean Alejandro Tabilo 6-3, 7-5, 6-1. This achievement completed his set of Grand Slam quarterfinal appearances, solidifying his position as one of the top players in the sport.
