Aryna Sabalenka continued her quest for a primary French Open title by combating previous finest buddy Paula Badosa to succeed in the fourth spherical.
Belarusian Sabalenka, who reached the semi-finals final 12 months, received 7-5 6-1 in opposition to the Spanish former world quantity two.
A aggressive and entertaining first set, the place each gamers demonstrated their energy from the baseline, noticed seven breaks of serve earlier than second seed Sabalenka closed it out.
The second set was one-sided as 139th-ranked Badosa’s degree dropped.
Badosa, who has fallen down the rankings after a stress fracture in her again, saved three match factors earlier than placing a backhand lengthy on the fourth.
“I simply tried to play my finest and combat for each level. I do know the situations had been powerful and the serve wasn’t a bonus,” mentioned 26-year-old Sabalenka, who received 10 of the ultimate 11 video games.
Two-time main champion Sabalenka will play both American 14th seed Madison Keys or her compatriot Emma Navarro, seeded twenty second, subsequent.
Rain as soon as once more delayed play on the surface courts in Paris on Saturday, however Sabalenka and fourth seed Elena Rybakina superior underneath the roof on Court docket Philippe Chatrier.