World number one Aryna Sabalenka praised the support of the crowd – and even moonwalked on court – after beating Naomi Osaka in straight sets to advance to her fourth consecutive French Open quarter-final.
The 28-year-old was playing in the first women’s singles match to be held in the night session on Court Philippe Chatrier since 2023 – and only the fifth since one-match night sessions were introduced in 2021 – and was jokingly disappointed to see off the 16th seed in an hour and 26 minutes, telling the crowd she wanted to “keep going”.
However, in a meeting between two of the heaviest baseline hitters in the women’s game, Sabalenka’s accuracy on serve and delicate drop shots proved the difference as she came through 7-5 6-3 to beat Osaka for the third time in the past three months.
Four-time Grand Slam singles champion Sabalenka, the only player with experience of playing in a major final left in the women’s draw, will face 25th seed Diana Shnaider in the last eight as she continues her bid for a maiden French Open title.
“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.
