French Open 2025 Women’s Day 6

Aryna Sabalenka easily claimed her place in the French Open second week on Friday with a convincing 6-2, 6-3 defeat of Olga Danilovic which took just 81 minutes.

The world No. 1 and top seed will play the fourth round this weekend against Amanda Anisimova, a 7-6 (4), 6-4 winner over Dane Clara Tauson.

Double Australian Open winner Sabalenka has reached at least a third round at her last 16 Grand Slams – four year’s worth – dating to 2021 in Melbourne.

She is guaranteed to retain the top WTA ranking which she has held since last October no matter her results here.

“I knew it would be a fight,” the winner said after beating the No. 34 for a second time. “She is playing like a top 10 player.

“I enjoyed our battle, I’m happy to be through this difficult match.”

Anisimova reached the Paris semis in 2019 but has since stalled, with a 2022 fourth-round place her best subsequent result.

“It was a very tough match in some pretty hot conditions,” the American said.

“I’m very happy with the way I was able to fight and play some good tennis.

“I was dealing with a little bit of injuries here and there (during this clay season) , but I’m happy with the way my team and I have been able to manage it, stay positive, and just trust the process,

“We have been doing a lot of tough work out there, and I’m feeling good physically now. So I’m just happy to be having a good run here.”

The American has a solid 5-2 record against Sabalenka, winning their last meeting in 2024 in Toronto.

“She’s No. 1, I feel like it’s always a good matchup. I really enjoy the

fight and the challenge that she brings on. 

“I’m just looking forward to it; hopefully I can bring my A game.” 

Fourth seed Jasmine Paolini took a step closer to a possible title, with the 2024 finalist defeating Ukrainian Yulia Starodubtseva 6-4, 6-1.

The Italian who lost the final here a year ago to Iga Swiatek, overcame a slight early hiccup and needed two opportunities to finally serve out victory in 69 minutes.

“It was a good match, I started a bit slow, not feeling really well for the first fw games.

“Conditions were different today in the heat. My other matches were played with the roof closed.”

Paolini, also the Wimbledon runner-up in 2024, has complied a record of 23 Grand Slam wins in two seasons, second only to Sabalenka.

No. 5 defending champion Swiatek beat the heat against a feisty opponent in Jacqueline Cristian, beating the Romanian 6-2, 6-5  

With playing conditions in the 30s Celsius as opposed to the 20s of earlier this week, conditions changed dramatically for players.

Swiatek moved ahead at the even she has won over four of the last five editions in just under two hours.

“I’m happy I was super-solid in the last game,” the former world No. 1 said.”i didn’t give her any free points, but she used her chances and went for it.

“It was a great match, pretty entertaining I thought. I’m happy to be through, happy with the performance.”

Swiatek said the heat was a welcome change, evoking the Paris Olympics played here last summer

“It gives the ball extra bounce on clay – but it’s all about the control.”

China’s Zheng Qinwen continued her run of form at Roland Garros, venue where she lifted the Olympic gold medal a year ago.

The eighth seed ended the Paris debut of 18-year-old Canadian qualifier Victoria Mboko 6-3, 6-4, booking the first of the second week spots in the women’s draw.

The match was briefly interrupted as a spectator fell ill due to heat which set in on the first hot day of the event.

“It was honestly a really tricky and tough match, I knew if my mental (concentration) goes a bit down or I lose focus, (she could) turn around the match.

“Today I had one of the greatest tennis (matches) that I play here so far.”

Liudmila Samsonova advanced at the expense of Dayana Yastremska 6-2, 6-3 while Elena Rybakina won a battle of former Grand Slam champions, ousting Jelena Ostapenko 6-2, 6-2.

Main photo:-Iga Swiatek celebrates after winning tough encounter with Jaqueline Christian – by Roger Parker ISF Ltd