Aryna Sabalenka booked her place within the French Open final 16 for the primary time with a straight-sets win over Russian Kamilla Rakhimova at Roland Garros on Friday. The Belarusian second seed is but to drop a set within the match after a cushty 6-2, 6-2 win towards the world quantity 82. Sabalenka is likely one of the favourites for the championship after a tremendous begin to the 12 months, together with securing her maiden Grand Slam triumph in Melbourne and lifting the Madrid Open title. “Every tournament is a different tournament, Roland Garros is completely different to Australia, a different surface,” she mentioned.

“It’s really good to have a Grand Slam in your pocket — it gives you so much confidence.”

Sabalenka will face both former US Open champion Sloane Stephens or Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva within the fourth spherical.

The first 4 video games had been shared earlier than Australian Open champion Sabalenka reeled off the following seven in succession to take complete management of the match.

She ended a run of three consecutive third-round exits on the Paris clay after solely 67 minutes.

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