Sabalenka plays lights-out to stop Osaka in Paris

Aryna Sabalenka took full advantage of the first women’s night match in three years at the French Open as she dealt out a 7-5, 6-3 win over Naomi Osaka to reach the quarter-finals.

The world No. 1 and 2025 runner-up won the battle of multiple Grand Slam champions as women were finally tapped for the controversial Roland Garros night match for the first time since 2023.

With the men’s field down to a skeleton crew with Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic out and injured Carlos Alcaraz missing, Paris officials may have had little choice but to trot out women after years of criticism over scheduling choices.

.Sabalenka snuck out the opening set on an Osaka double-fault. She repeated in the second set with a break for 4-3.

Two games later it was all over after Osaka double-faulted to yield a match point and Sabalenka answered with a stinging service return for a match-winner after 89 minutes.

“She’s such a great player, we always have tough battles,” Sabalenka said. “I’m happy with the way I served and put the pressure back on her.

“I’m happy with the win, it was a tough one.”

The top seed said that taking the night slot for the first time was a pleasure, calling the experience “amazing.”

“This was not the best match of my life but I feel I’m getting better and better with each match. I’m pleased with the performance today.