Aryna Sabalenka blasts past Naomi Osaka to set up French Open quarter-final meeting with Diana Shnaider

It was billed as a blockbuster showdown between four-time Grand Slam winners, but Sabalenka proved far too good on the night in sealing a 7-5 6-3 victory.

The win moves her into the last eight, where she will take on 25th-seed Shnaider, as she looks to claim one of the two Grand Slams that have so far eluded her.

Asked what the key was to victory over Osaka, Sabalenka said: ”She's such a great player, always tough battles against her [with] super aggressive tennis. I'm mostly happy with the way I served and that I was able to put all of that pressure back on her, and happy with the win. It was a very tough one.

”And wow, it's amazing to play in the night session in front of all you guys.

”That was my first one, and I really want to keep going, but who knows, right? But thank you so much for bringing such an amazing atmosphere, and you guys truly make this place special.”

It was Osaka who made the better start on Court Philippe-Chatrier, surviving an early scare to hold before breaking Sabalenka for a 2-0 lead.

However, Sabalenka immediately broke back as she started to settle into her rhythm and then restored parity at 2-2.

The first set went with serve from there until 5-5, but Sabalenka made a decisive move in the 11th game, breaking to serve for the opener.

She made no mistake, holding to love and sealing a one-set advantage with an ace.

The second set saw Sabalenka slowly assert her dominance. Osaka saved a break point to move 3-2 ahead, but she was powerless to stop her opponent from there.

Sabalenka ramped up the aggression and had the accuracy to match as she reeled off four successive games to storm into the last eight of a Grand Slam for the 14th time in a row.

The world No. 1 is the overwhelming favourite to go one step further than last year and add a first Roland-Garros title to her roll of honour.

She next faces Shnaider, who got the better of Madison Keys in three sets to take her place in the last eight.

Elsewhere, No. 7 seed Elina Svitolina and No. 8 seed Mirra Andreeva are the highest-ranked players still left in the women’s singles draw.

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