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 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 on court.
“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.”
