Sabalenka beats Osaka in first women’s night session at French Open since 2023
7 verified4 unconfirmed
Top seed Aryna Sabalenka defeated Naomi Osaka 7-5, 6-3 in the fourth round of the French Open on Monday, marking the first women’s night session match at Roland Garros in three years. The one-hour-27-minute contest on Court Philippe Chatrier was only the fifth women’s match in 61 night-time sessions since the slot was introduced in 2021. Both players are four-time Grand Slam champions, and Sabalenka, the world number one, will next face 25th seed Diana Shnaider in the quarter-finals. Osaka, seeded 16th, took an early 2-0 lead before Sabalenka broke back and eventually controlled the match. Tournament director Amelie Mauresmo stated the choice to schedule the women’s match was obvious after men’s world number one Jannik Sinner was no longer in the draw. Sabalenka and Osaka each said they hoped the match would encourage organisers to feature more women’s night sessions in the future.
What’s verified
Aryna Sabalenka beat Naomi Osaka 7-5, 6-3 in one hour and 27 minutes.
The match was the first women’s night session at Roland Garros since 2023.
Only five of the 61 night sessions since 2021 have featured women’s matches.
Sabalenka is the world number one; Osaka is a four-time Grand Slam winner.
Sabalenka will face Diana Shnaider in the quarter-finals.
Both players wore distinctive outfits: Osaka a sparkly dress/jacket, Sabalenka performed a moonwalk during her victory speech.
Tournament director Amelie Mauresmo said the choice was “obvious” given the match-ups.
Not yet confirmed
One source reported that Mauresmo might have chosen a men’s match if Jannik Sinner had still been in the tournament, though Mauresmo said the women’s match was obvious.
One source reported that Diana Shnaider defeated Madison Keys 6-3, 3-6, 6-0.
One source reported that Maja Chwalinska, who had never been beyond the second round of a major, beat Diane Parry and will face Anna Kalinskaya.
One source reported that Felix Auger-Aliassime, Matteo Berrettini, and Flavio Cobolli advanced in the men’s draw.
Misconceptions
The sources address a common argument that women’s matches are too short for night sessions; Mauresmo noted that “the potential length of the matches is something that we are also looking at,” while both Sabalenka and Osaka said they hope the high-quality contest helps change that perception.
Key figures
Aryna Sabalenka – world number one, winner
Naomi Osaka – former world number one, four-time Grand Slam winner
Amelie Mauresmo – French Open tournament director
Diana Shnaider – Sabalenka’s next opponent, 25th seed
Sources: BBC News, Sky Sports
