Aryna Sabalenka triumphed over Paula Badosa in a challenging third-round match at the French Open on Saturday, despite their close friendship. Meanwhile, Varvara Gracheva, who now represents France, earned admiration for her spirited performance.
Sabalenka and Badosa, both 26, have a strong friendship, but they put it aside for their seventh career meeting. The first set was tightly contested with frequent service breaks, but Sabalenka's powerful and precise play secured her a 7-5, 6-1 victory. Sabalenka, aiming to become the first woman since Serena Williams to win both the Australian Open and Roland Garros in the same season, remarked, "On court we're opponents, but off it we're friends."
French fans enjoyed a memorable performance from Gracheva, who defeated Irina-Camelia Begu 7-5, 6-3 on Court Suzanne Lenglen. After her win, the French supporters serenaded her with "La Marseillaise," and she joined in the celebration. Gracheva, who received her French citizenship in 2023, expressed her joy, saying, "I'll remember this moment until the end of my life. It means that everyone accepts me, that I'm home here."
In other matches, Elena Rybakina, also originally from Moscow, easily defeated Elise Mertens 6-4, 6-2. Rybakina has faced health issues, including having to withdraw from the third round last year due to illness, but she is now feeling better and focused. Additionally, Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime completed a straightforward 6-4, 6-2, 6-1 win over American Ben Shelton under the Suzanne Lenglen roof, as persistent rain delayed play on the outer courts.
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