Aryna Sabalenka won her 100th career match as world No. 1 on Saturday. She defeated Daria Kasatkina in straight sets, 6-0, 7-5, in the third round of Roland Garros.
What happened?
Aryna Sabalenka stormed through the first set in just 29 minutes on Court Suzanne Lenglen. Kasatkina broke in the first game of the second set and held at love for a 2-0 lead.
Why it matters for Aryna Sabalenka
Sabalenka is spending her 92nd and 93rd career weeks at No. 1 during the two weeks of Roland Garros. She's just the ninth player since WTA rankings began in 1975 to win 100 matches as world No. 1.
Aryna Sabalenka had beaten Kasatkina in straight sets in their last four meetings in a row. She broke back right away after Kasatkina's break in the second set.
What comes next?
Awaiting Aryna Sabalenka in the fourth round will be No. 16 seed Naomi Osaka. Osaka battled past No. 17 seed Iva Jovic in two minutes shy of three hours, 7-6 (5), 6-7 (3), 6-4.
Aryna Sabalenka leads Naomi Osaka in their head-to-head, 2-1. She won their two most recent meetings this year, in the fourth round of Indian Wells and in the fourth round of Madrid.
Sabalenka has now reached the fourth round or better at the last 14 Grand Slams in a row that she's played. Her last time losing in the first week of one came exactly four years ago, falling to Italy's Camila Giorgi in the third round of 2022 Roland Garros.
The match lasted an hour and 16 minutes on court. Aryna Sabalenka reeled off eight of the last nine points to close it out in a rush.
Aryna Sabalenka's win was her 100th career win as the world No. 1. She is one of the Top 10 longest streaks at the top spot in WTA rankings history.
The world No. 1 will face Naomi Osaka in the fourth round. Osaka is now through to the second week of Roland Garros for the first time in her career.