Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka reacts after a point to Russia's Kamilla Rakhimova during their women's singles match on day six of the Roland-Garros Open tennis tournament at the Court Philippe-Chatrier in Paris on June 2, 2023. Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA / AFP
Paris: Aryna Sabalenka booked her place in the French Open last 16 for the first time with a straight-sets win over Russian Kamilla Rakhimova at Roland Garros on Friday.
The Belarusian second seed is yet to drop a set in the tournament after a comfortable 6-2, 6-2 win against the world number 82.
Sabalenka will face either former US Open champion Sloane Stephens or Kazakhstan's Yulia Putintseva in the fourth round.
The first four games were shared before Australian Open champion Sabalenka reeled off the next seven in succession to take total control of the match.
She ended a run of three consecutive third-round exits on the Paris clay after only 67 minutes.
Sabalenka is one of the favourites for the championship after a fine start to the year, including securing her maiden Grand Slam triumph in Melbourne and lifting the Madrid Open title.
