World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka continued her pursuit of a maiden French Open crown by overcoming a spirited challenge from home favourite Elsa Jacquemot to secure a place in the third round at Roland Garros. While the final scoreline of 7-5, 6-2 suggests a comfortable victory, the Belarusian was pushed hard for much of the opening set by an inspired opponent backed by a passionate Parisian crowd.
Sabalenka arrived in Paris as one of the tournament favourites following a remarkable season on the WTA Tour. The Belarusian has consistently established herself as the player to beat in women’s tennis over the past two years, adding multiple Grand Slam titles to her collection and cementing her place at the top of the rankings. However, the French Open remains the one major title missing from her resume, making this year’s campaign particularly significant.
The top seed made a confident start on Court Philippe-Chatrier, using her trademark power from the baseline to secure an early break and move 3-1 ahead. Yet Jacquemot, ranked World No. 67 and eager to make the most of her opportunity on home soil, refused to be overwhelmed by the occasion. The Frenchwoman responded immediately, breaking back and producing a series of aggressive winners that brought the crowd to life.
Throughout the first set, Jacquemot matched Sabalenka’s intensity with fearless shot-making. The local favourite repeatedly found the lines with her groundstrokes and demonstrated impressive composure against one of the most powerful players in the game. Her performance ensured that the opening set remained highly competitive despite the ranking gap between the two players.
A four-time Grand Slam champion, Sabalenka was forced to dig deep and rely on her experience during several crucial moments. The Belarusian earned a set point at 5-4 on Jacquemot’s serve, but the French player saved it with a combination of aggressive tennis and remarkable precision. The crowd sensed the possibility of an upset as Jacquemot continued to challenge the tournament favourite from the baseline.
Despite the pressure, Sabalenka maintained her composure and eventually captured the opening set on her third set point opportunity.
Reflecting on the challenge after the match, Sabalenka said, “That was a very tough opponent. Tricky match. I’m happy that I closed it in straight sets.” She added, “She played really incredible tennis and forced me to step in and play on another level. I am happy I could handle it and win.” The outcome of the first set ultimately proved decisive. Having survived the early scare, Sabalenka raised her level significantly in the second set while Jacquemot struggled to maintain the same intensity. The Belarusian secured an early break and quickly seized control of the contest.
From there, Sabalenka displayed the ruthless efficiency that has defined her rise to the top of the sport. She won five consecutive games, dictating rallies with her powerful forehand and preventing Jacquemot from building any momentum. As the match wore on, the Frenchwoman began to show signs of fatigue, while Sabalenka continued to strike the ball with authority.
The second set was completed far more comfortably than the first, allowing the world No. 1 to book her place in the third round without the need for a deciding set.
The victory continues an impressive 2026 campaign for Sabalenka, who has been one of the most consistent performers on tour. Her powerful baseline game has translated effectively across all surfaces, but clay remains a unique challenge that demands patience, movement, and tactical discipline. Last year’s run to the final demonstrated her growing comfort on the surface, and she now appears determined to go one step further.
The match also took place against the backdrop of one of the tournament’s biggest surprises. Earlier in the day, men’s World No. 1 Jannik Sinner suffered a stunning five-set defeat to Argentina’s Juan Manuel Cerundolo, a result that served as a reminder that no favourite is immune to pressure at Roland Garros. Sabalenka looked in danger of facing similar difficulties during the first set but ultimately found the answers when it mattered most.
Awaiting her in the next round is Australia’s Daria Kasatkina, one of the tour’s most accomplished clay-court players and a former French Open semifinalist. The matchup promises to present a very different challenge, with Kasatkina relying on variety, defensive skills, and tactical intelligence rather than outright power. Looking ahead to the contest, Sabalenka acknowledged the challenge that awaits.
“It’s always challenging playing her,” the top seed said. “She’s a fighter. She’s putting all of the balls back. You have to really work for each point, especially on the clay court.”
With several title contenders still in the draw, Sabalenka knows tougher tests lie ahead. However, her ability to weather a difficult opening set against a fearless opponent demonstrated both her resilience and championship mentality. If she can continue to combine her explosive power with patience and composure on clay, the Belarusian may finally be in position to capture the elusive French Open title that has so far escaped her.
