Sabalenka breezes past Osaka and into French Open quarter-finals

World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka completes straight-set win over fellow four-time major winner Naomi Osaka to reach Roland-Garros quarter-finalswatch ATP and WTA Tours live on Sky Sports Tennis, Sky Sports+, NOW and the Sky Sports app

>Aryna Sabalenka cruised past Naomi Osaka in straight sets in their fourth round clash under the lights in Paris to reach the quarter-finals of the French Open.

>In the first women's night-session ​match at Roland-Garros in three years, the world no 1 recovered from a ​shaky start to triumph 7-5 6-3.

>Sabalenka, ‌who has now reached at least the quarter-finals in her last 14 ​Grand Slam appearances, set up a last-eight meeting with Russian Diana Shnaider.

>"She is such a great player, she ​plays a super aggressive tennis," Sabalenka said of Osaka. "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."

>Osaka opened a 2-0 lead courtesy of a Sabalenka double fault but the Belarusian immediately ⁠broke back and stole her opponent's serve decisively ​for a 6-5 lead, whipping a powerful service ​return that the 16th seed could not control, ​her backhand failing to clear the net.

>Following a ⁠tough hold for 3-3 in the second set, Sabalenka broke for 4-3, ending a long rally with a subtle half volley.

>Osaka, who was playing ⁠in the fourth round at Roland-Garros for the first time, did not have ​more in the tank and she lost the remaining games, bowing out on Sabalenka's first ‌match point.

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