Sabalenka Beats Osaka 7-5, 6-3 to Reach French Open Quarter-Finals

Aryna Sabalenka defeated Naomi Osaka 7-5 6-3 in the fourth round of the French Open in a match that lasted one hour and 26 minutes. The contest marked the first women's singles match held in the night session on Court Philippe Chatrier since 2023 and only the fifth such match since one-match night sessions began in 2021.

Sabalenka, 28, is the world number one and has won four Grand Slam singles titles.

She is the only player remaining in the women's draw with experience of playing in a major final. Osaka entered the match as the 16th seed. Sabalenka hit 12 aces compared to Osaka's two and won 83 percent of points behind her first serve.

She won 21 of 35 points on Osaka's second serve and converted 10 of 11 points at the net while hitting five drop shots and 39 winners overall. Sabalenka conceded only four points on her own serve after the opening service game of the first set. She made the decisive break in the 11th game before closing the set with a hold to love.

Osaka saved a break point in the fifth game of the second set but was broken to 15 in her next two service games. Sabalenka converted match point with a forehand winner. Sabalenka beat Osaka for the third time in the past three months.

When the pair met in Madrid in April, Osaka won the opening set. Sabalenka will face 25th seed Diana Shnaider in the quarter-finals. "It is amazing to play in the night session. I really want to keep going.

Thank you for bringing such an amazing atmosphere. You guys make this place special," Sabalenka told the crowd. "I'm happy with the win, it was a very tough one. She [Osaka] is such a great player - always a tough battle against her.

I am mostly happy with the way I served and that I was able to put pressure back on her," she added.