Aryna Sabalenka continued her impressive run at the French Open, defeating Emma Navarro 6-2, 6-3 on Monday to secure her spot in the quarterfinals. The second seed showcased her dominant form on the clay courts of Roland Garros, delighting fans with her powerful play.
The sun returned to shine over the courts in southwest Paris, a factor Sabalenka acknowledged contributed to her spirited performance. “When the sun is out, I play with a lot more happiness,” she shared after the match, radiating joy.
Her exuberance was evident as she celebrated the win with spontaneous dance moves, grooving to the Bee Gees’ classic “Stayin’ Alive” played by fellow competitor Ons Jabeur near the locker room. The lighthearted moment highlighted the camaraderie among players during the intense Grand Slam tournament.
Sabalenka is now one victory away from reaching her seventh consecutive Grand Slam semifinal. Her next challenge comes in the form of unseeded teenager Mirra Andreeva, who has been making waves with her remarkable journey to the quarterfinals.
Andreeva, who turned 17 just a month ago, earned her quarterfinal berth by defeating Varvara Gracheva 7-5, 6-2. Upon sealing the match with a decisive forehand winner, Andreeva let her emotions flow, tossing her racket in celebration.
“My coaches, before the match, they talk about the plan, about the tactics,” Andreeva reflected. “I listen, but honestly, once I step onto the court, I don’t remember anything. That’s how I always play.”
Gracheva, six years Andreeva’s senior and originally from Russia, has represented France since 2018 and played her first tournament as a French player earlier this year. “I’m happy for her,” Gracheva said, acknowledging Andreeva’s composed performance. “She served well, she played a very serious match.”
Andreeva’s milestone makes her the third woman in the past 18 years to reach the French Open quarterfinals before turning 18, following in the footsteps of Amanda Anisimova in 2019 and Coco Gauff in 2021.
The upcoming clash between the experienced Sabalenka and the rising star Andreeva promises to be a highlight of the tournament, capturing the attention of tennis enthusiasts worldwide eager to see how the young talent fares against one of the sport’s top competitors.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
