Aryna Sabalenka Continues Strong Run, Sets Sights on Title

Aryna Sabalenka showcased her potential for a French Open title by securing another dominant straight-set victory, advancing to the third round at Roland Garros. The world number two needed only 62 minutes to defeat Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima 6-2 6-2 on Court Philippe Chatrier. This win followed her earlier triumph over Erika Andreeva, where she dropped just three games. Aryna Sabalenka next opponent will be former quarter-finalist Paula Badosa, who rallied from a set down to overcome Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva 4-6 6-1 7-5.

In another match, fourth seed Elena Rybakina fought back from a deficit to secure a straight-set victory. The Kazakh player defeated Arantxa Rus 6-3 6-4 on Court Suzanne Lenglen. Sabalenka, a semi-finalist at Roland Garros in 2023, has reached at least the semi-finals in her last six Grand Slam appearances. The 26-year-old Belarusian displayed her trademark power combined with well-placed drop shots, tallying 27 winners against her 83rd-ranked opponent.

Before the French Open, Sabalenka reached the finals of both the Madrid Open and the Italian Open but fell short to world number one Iga Swiatek. Danielle Collins, who plans to retire at the end of the season, suffered a surprising defeat against Olga Danilovic of Serbia. In another upset, Jelena Ostapenko, the 2017 champion, was defeated by Clara Tauson of Denmark.

Several other seeded players faced unexpected exits including Daria Kasatkina, who lost to American Peyton Stearns, and Jelena Svitolina and Madison Keys, who secured victories against Diane Parry and Mayar Sherif, respectively. Reigning Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova staged a comeback against Katie Volynets while Bianca Andreescu overcame Anna Kalinskaya in a three-set battle. American Amanda Anisimova, a semi-finalist in 2019, suffered a defeat against Liudmila Samsonova of Russia.