Sabalenka Cruises Past Kasatkina to Reach Roland Garros Round of 16

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka continues to look every bit the favorite at Roland Garros 2026. The Belarusian star advanced to the Round of 16 on Saturday after defeating Australia’s Daria Kasatkina in straight sets, 6-0, 7-5, in a commanding performance on Court Suzanne-Lenglen.

Photo: Reuters

Sabalenka needed just 29 minutes to wrap up the opening set, overwhelming Kasatkina with her trademark power and precision. The four-time Grand Slam champion broke serve repeatedly and never allowed her opponent to find any rhythm, handing the Australian a rare first-set shutout.

The second set proved more competitive. Kasatkina managed an early break and jumped out to a 2-0 lead as Sabalenka briefly struggled with a pair of unforced errors and a double fault. However, the top seed quickly regained control, leveling the score and steadily applying pressure from the baseline.

With the set heading toward a possible tiebreak, Sabalenka delivered the decisive blow. She broke Kasatkina’s serve while the Australian was attempting to force a deciding game and sealed the victory after one hour and 17 minutes on court.

The win marks another milestone in Sabalenka’s remarkable career, making her only the ninth woman in WTA history to record 100 victories while ranked No. 1 in the world.

“I’m happy that I never give up during difficult moments,” Sabalenka said after the match. “Even when things become complicated, I keep fighting and looking for solutions.”

Sabalenka, who reached the Roland Garros final in 2025 before falling to Coco Gauff, is still searching for her first title in Paris. Her dominant form throughout the tournament suggests she may be one of the strongest contenders to lift the Coupe Suzanne-Lenglen this year.

Awaiting her in the fourth round is four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka. The Japanese star defeated American teenager Iva Jovic in three sets to secure her place in the Round of 16.

The upcoming matchup will be one of the most anticipated clashes of the tournament. Sabalenka has already beaten Osaka twice in 2026, at Indian Wells and Madrid. However, Osaka owns the only Grand Slam victory between the two, having defeated Sabalenka in the 2018 US Open.

With a place in the quarterfinals on the line, Roland Garros is set for a blockbuster showdown between two of the biggest names in women’s tennis.