French Open 2026 result: Aryna Sabalenka sets last-16 tie against Naomi Osaka

Sabalenka said she was enjoying the match against Osaka, adding that it was great to see signs of the form that has made her the four-time Grand Slam champion.

Osaka won the US Open and Australian Open twice between 2018 and 2021 but did not play for 14 months around the birth of her daughter Shai in July 2023.

“It’s great to see him back at his level. Maybe not at his best, but he’s back, he’s fighting, he’s making his level,” Sabalenka said.

“I think I really enjoy our battle. It’s a high-level match, and I really enjoy when someone pushes me to the limit.”

Sabalenka took control early in her match, winning 92% of first-serve points in the first set as Kasatkina failed to win a game.

Kasatkina improved in the second set as she briefly led 2-0, but broke back immediately before Sabalenka secured late control and converted the second of three match points.

The win means Sabalenka is the ninth woman to win 100 matches while ranked world number one.

Joining Sabalenka and Osaka in the last-16 is world number 92 Diane Parry of France, who upset American sixth seed Amanda Anisimova.

Parry, 23, won 6-3 4-6 7-6 (10-3) to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time, while Anisimova’s bid for a maiden Grand Slam title continues.

Parry was serenaded by the home crowd on an electric Court Philippe Chatrier and had to wait for them to stop singing before doing a post-match interview.

She will face Polish qualifier Maja Cwalinska in the fourth round after a 1-6, 6-3 6-2 win over Greece’s Maria Sakkari.