Sabalenka Dominates Osaka in French Open Night Session Thriller, Advances to Quarterfinals
Aryna Sabalenka has continued her formidable march towards a maiden French Open title, overpowering Naomi Osaka with a 7-5, 6-3 victory to secure her spot in the quarterfinals. The highly anticipated clash, held during the first women’s night-session match at Roland Garros in three years, saw the Belarusian world number one shake off a sluggish start to decisively book her place in the last eight.
This quarterfinal appearance marks Sabalenka’s 14th consecutive Grand Slam outing where she has reached at least this stage, a testament to her consistent high-level performance. She is now set to face Russian talent Diana Shnaider in the next round.
“She is such a great player, she plays a super aggressive tennis,” Sabalenka commented on Osaka’s game. “I’m happy with how I was able to put back the pressure on her. It’s amazing to play the night session in front of all of you guys. I’m super happy with my serve. I’m super pleased overall with the performance today.”
The match began with Osaka taking an early 2-0 lead, capitalising on a double fault from Sabalenka. However, the Belarusian immediately responded, breaking back and then seizing Osaka’s serve decisively to lead 6-5. A powerful service return, too potent for the 16th seed to control, saw her backhand sail into the net, sealing the crucial break.
After a hard-fought hold to level at 3-3, Sabalenka again broke serve for a 4-3 advantage. The pivotal moment came at the end of a lengthy rally, which Sabalenka clinched with a delicate half-volley. Osaka, competing in the fourth round at Roland Garros for the very first time, appeared to run out of steam. She was unable to muster a response and dropped the remaining games, ultimately falling to Sabalenka on the first match point.
Shnaider Stuns Keys, Joins Sabalenka in Last Eight
Meanwhile, Sabalenka’s next opponent, Diana Shnaider, engineered a significant upset by defeating the 19th seed, American Madison Keys. Keys, who had previously beaten Sabalenka in the 2025 Australian Open final, was unable to overcome the determined Russian. Shnaider secured a commanding 6-3, 3-6, 6-0 victory, propelling her into the quarterfinals. This result leaves Sabalenka as one of only three players remaining in the women’s singles draw who have previously reached the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam.
Chwalińska’s Fairytale Run Continues
Perhaps the most surprising entrant into the last eight is Poland’s Maja Chwalińska. Making her main-draw debut in Paris, the world number 114 has enjoyed a remarkable run. Her previous best performance at a major tournament was reaching the second round at Wimbledon in 2022. Chwalińska continued her fairytale by defeating the last remaining French player in either singles draw, Diane Parry, with a convincing 6-3, 6-2 win on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
Chwalińska is now scheduled to face the 22nd seed, Russia’s Anna Kalinskaya. Kalinskaya also advanced to her second career Grand Slam quarterfinal, matching her previous best at a major, by overcoming compatriot Anastasia Potapova in a gruelling three-set battle, 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(10/7).
Italian Trio Flies the Tricolore in Men’s Draw
On the men’s side, despite the early exit of top seed Jannik Sinner, a strong Italian contingent is ensuring their nation’s flag continues to fly high. Matteo Arnaldi, Flavio Cobolli, and Matteo Berrettini have all secured their places in the later stages of the tournament.
Tenth seed Flavio Cobolli progressed by defeating American Zachary Svajda in a hard-fought four-setter, 6-2, 6-3, 6-7(3/7), 7-6(7/5). Matteo Berrettini, meanwhile, claimed a significant victory over Juan Manuel Cerundolo, the player who famously stunned Sinner in the second round. Berrettini’s 6-3, 7-6(7/2), 7-6(7/6) triumph marks his first journey beyond the fourth round of a Grand Slam since the 2022 US Open, a welcome return for the injury-plagued Italian.
Berrettini is now set to face fellow Italian Matteo Arnaldi in an all-Italian quarterfinal showdown. Arnaldi reached the last eight of a major for the first time in his career after an epic five-hour and 26-minute marathon against the 19th seed, American Frances Tiafoe. Arnaldi eventually prevailed 7-6(7/5), 6-7(5/7), 3-6, 7-6(7/3), 6-4.
The match, which concluded after 1 am in Paris, was a true test of endurance. Tiafoe held a commanding 4-1 lead in the fourth set and was serving for the match at 5-3, even reaching 30-0 on his serve. However, Arnaldi staged a remarkable comeback to force a decider, demonstrating incredible resilience as the match stretched beyond the four-hour mark.
“I don’t know how I’m standing here to be honest. We live to play these matches,” a visibly exhausted Arnaldi said after his incredible victory. “At one point it wasn’t tennis, it was just something else; you were just playing with everything you had. There had to be a winner, and fortunately, it was me tonight. This is definitely the best match I’ve ever played.”
Auger-Aliassime Completes Grand Slam Quarterfinal Set
In other men’s singles action, Canadian fourth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime comfortably defeated Chilean Alejandro Tabilo 6-3, 7-5, 6-1. This victory marks a significant milestone for Auger-Aliassime, as he has now reached the quarterfinals of all four Grand Slam tournaments, completing his set of major quarterfinal appearances.
