World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka reveals challenging aspect over combating Paula Badosa who she beat 7-5, 6-1 to enter Rd 4
Aryna Sabalenka during her third-round win over Paula Badosa at the French Open in Paris on Saturday; (right) Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina. Pics/Getty Images
Aryna Sabalenka overcame a sluggish start to defeat close friend Paula Badosa 7-5, 6-1 on Saturday to take her place in the last 16 of the French Open.
Former World No. 2 Badosa led 5-3 in the first set but two-time Australian Open champion Sabalenka reeled off 10 of the final 11 games to sweep into the second week for the second year in a row.
ADVERTISEMENT
Warm embrace at net
“It’s tough to play your best friend, but we know how to separate things,” said Sabalenka, who shared a warm embrace with Badosa at the net. “I just tried to play my best and fight for every point. I know the conditions were tough and the serve wasn’t an advantage.”
Paula Badosa
Sabalenka, a semi-finalist in Paris in 2023, has made at least the last four at her past six Grand Slams and is expected to be Iga Swiatek’s chief rival in the Pole’s bid for a fourth French Open title.
She will meet American 14th seed Madison Keys or her compatriot Emma Navarro, the 22nd seed, for a place in the quarter-finals.
Rybakina defeats Mertens
Elena Rybakina advanced to the last 16 of the French Open on Saturday with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Belgium’s Elise Mertens.
Former Wimbledon champion Rybakina broke three times in a row to edge a tight first set against the 25th seed before finding her rhythm in the second to close out victory.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
