Roland-Garros: Sabalenka still cruising on the court, drops only four games to Rakhimova

The Australian Open champion won against Kamilla Rakhimova 6-2, 6-2 on Friday

Aryna Sabalenka, Roland-Garros 2023 | © AI / Reuters / Panoramic

Tennis Majors

June 2, 2023

French Open •Third round • completed

See draw

K. RakhimovavsA. Sabalenka

Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka, the second seed, won against Russian Kamilla Rakhimova 6-2, 6-2 to move into the last 16 of Roland-Garros in Paris on Friday afternoon.

Sabalenka, ranked No 2, will face the winner of the match between American Sloane Stephens and Kazakh Yulia Putintseva next.

Another day, another dominant performance from @SabalenkaA

Watch the highlights of her third round victory over Rakhimova#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/XHV0kk0VjP
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 2, 2023

The Belarusian has now won 10 matches in a row at the Grand Slams after winning the Australian Open in January and could become world No 1 at the end of this event if she wins or if Iga Swiatek, the current No 1, goes out early in the tournament.

Ahead of her victory, the Belarusian defeated Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk (6-3, 6-2) and qualifier Iryna Shymanovich (7-5, 6-2). Rakhimova, ranked No 82, beat Czech qualifier Sara Bejlek (6-0, 6-3) and Pole Magdalena Frech (6-3, 6-4) earlier in the tournament.

Other third-round matches (Stade Roland-Garros, clay, EUR 49,600,000)