Without dropping a set, Sabalenka qualifies for the last 16

Since Madrid, Aryna Sabalenka has become a WTA Tour leader once again. A finalist in Madrid and Rome, on both occasions beaten by Iga Swiatek, the Belarusian is no longer one for detail. Buoyed by her devastating strike force, Sabalenka has yet to lose a set in Paris.

In fact, after quick wins in the first and second rounds, she handled her third match very well. Up against a Paula Badosa as combative as ever, she needed just one set to get the better of her Spanish opponent (7-5, 6-1 in 1h18).

Cornered by a very enterprising Badosa (5-3), the semi-finalist at the last French Open reacted in style. Hitting the ball a little harder (29 winners, 19 unforced errors) and surprising her opponent with a number of beautifully varied shots, the world number 2 won 10 of the last 11 games of the match.

Qualifying for the second week, she could find herself up against one of the most in-form players of the moment, Madison Keys (13 wins in 15 matches, beaten only by Swiatek in Madrid and Rome, then crowned in Strasbourg against Collins in the final).