By Jonathan Jurejko.
Aryna Sabalenka continued her quest for a first French Open title by fighting past best friend Paula Badosa to reach the fourth round.
Belarusian Sabalenka, who reached the semi-finals last year, won 7-5 6-1 against the Spanish former world number two.
A competitive and entertaining first set, where both players demonstrated their power from the baseline, saw seven breaks of serve before second seed Sabalenka closed it out.
The second set was one-sided as 139th-ranked Badosa’s level dropped.
Badosa, who has fallen down the rankings after a stress fracture in her back, saved three match points before putting a backhand long on the fourth.
“I just tried to play my best and fight for every point. I know the conditions were tough and the serve wasn’t an advantage,” said 26-year-old Sabalenka, who won 10 of the final 11 games.
Two-time major champion Sabalenka will play either American 14th seed Madison Keys or her compatriot Emma Navarro, seeded 22nd, next.
Rain once again delayed play on the outside courts in Paris on Saturday, but Sabalenka and fourth seed Elena Rybakina advanced under the roof on Court Philippe Chatrier.
After losing in Miami and retiring injured in Stuttgart, Badosa hoped it would be a case of third time lucky against her friend in their latest meeting this season.
The 26-year-old Spaniard, who beat British number one Katie Boulter in the first round, soaked up Sabalenka’s power and used her opponent’s pace to fizz away winners in a competitive opening set.
It was a risk-reward strategy and when Badosa’s errors started outnumbering the winners, Sabalenka grabbed momentum.
Putting a drive volley into the net for 0-30 5-5 proved a costly mistake for Badosa as she lost serve for a fourth time, and a hold to love from Sabalenka clinched the opening set.
Sabalenka’s rhythm improved further in the second set as she hit the lines with power and precision.
Badosa could not cope but will ultimately reflect positively on her performances at Roland Garros considering her injury issues.
“It’s tough to play your best friend, but we know how to separate things,” said Sabalenka, who hugged Badosa warmly at the net. “She’s an incredible player coming back after injury. She’ll be back at the top very soon.”
Meanwhile Elena Rybakina advanced to the last 16 of the French Open on Saturday with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Belgium’s Elise Mertens.
Fourth seed Rybakina goes on to play either Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina, seeded 15th, or Ana Bogdan of Romania.