Swiatek and Sabalenka Advance to French Open Fourth Round

PARIS — Defending women’s champion Iga Swiatek joined No. 1-ranked Aryna Sabalenka in the fourth round of the French Open on Friday, both players yet to drop a set.

Sabalenka, a three-time Grand Slam winner, overpowered Serbia’s Olga Danilovic with a score of 6-2, 6-3 on Court Philippe Chatrier. The Belarusian noted, “The ball flies much faster. The bounces are much higher.”

Swiatek, who has won four of her five major titles at Roland-Garros, faced a tougher challenge but emerged victorious against Romania’s Jaqueline Cristian, winning 6-2, 7-5 on Court Suzanne Lenglen. The match continued Swiatek’s winning streak at the French Open to 23 matches.

In the second set, which lasted 1 hour and 16 minutes, Swiatek had to fend off six break points. She expressed relief after securing the win on her second match point, saying, “She used her chances and just went for it.”

Swiatek, 23, is aiming to become the first woman to win four consecutive French Open titles in the Open era, after her victories starting in 2020. “For sure I don’t mind the pressure,” she added about competing on clay, “it gives the balls the extra bounce.”

Sabalenka is enjoying a strong season, having reached six singles finals this year. She joked about the pressure of winning, saying, “Let’s just leave it on Iga since she won it, what, three times in a row?”

Swiatek’s next opponent is Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina, who advanced after beating 2017 champion Jelena Ostapenko 6-2, 6-2.

In other matches, fourth-seed Jasmine Paolini defeated Ukrainian Yuliia Starodubtseva, securing a straight-set victory. Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen continued her impressive run by defeating 18-year-old qualifier Victoria Mboko.

As the tournament progresses, both Swiatek and Sabalenka remain top contenders, with fans eagerly awaiting their potential clash later in the tournament.