Sabalenka crushes Kasatkina in the first set at Roland Garros. The Roland Garros arena witnessed a confident start from Aryna Sabalenka. The world number one won the first set against Daria Kasatkina with a score of 6:0. This match could prove pivotal in the race for the title.
One of the most exciting third-round duels unfolded on the Roland Garros courts in Paris: Aryna Sabalenka, the world number one, confidently dominated Daria Kasatkina in the opening set — 6:0 in just 25 minutes. Such a score immediately highlighted the class difference and set a tough tone for the Russian player.
Sabalenka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, is aiming this year for her first Roland Garros title after last year's loss in the final. The second set began with Kasatkina attempting to change the course of the match, but the Belarusian quickly regained control, once again dictating play and making the break back.
In other matches of the day, Japan’s Naomi Osaka reached the fourth round of Roland Garros for the first time in her career, defeating American junior Iva Jovic in three sets. Defending champion Coco Gauff is preparing for her match against Anastasia Potapova, while on the main court American Amanda Anisimova is trying to recover after losing the first set.
In the Sabalenka-Kasatkina match, the key factors were the Belarusian’s powerful serve and aggressive shots. Kasatkina, despite some successful approaches to the net, often made errors under pressure. BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra commentators noted that Sabalenka is playing with maximum confidence, and her forehand earns points in nearly every rally.
If Sabalenka maintains her advantage and advances to the next round, her opponent will be Naomi Osaka, who has already secured a spot in the fourth round. This scenario promises intrigue for fans and could become one of the tournament's main events.
Daria Kasatkina, ranked 53rd in the world, recently won the Catalonia Open (WTA 125), but so far at Roland Garros she has not been able to challenge the favorite. Sabalenka, 28, remains the main contender for the title, especially after last year's final, where she lost to Coco Gauff.
This year's Roland Garros tournament traditionally attracts the attention of not only fans but also experts, and the competition for the women’s title looks particularly intense. Recalling other remarkable matches at this tournament, it's worth noting that recently Spanish player Rafa Khodar also convincingly started his match, winning the first set against Alex Michelsen — more details on this in the article about the Spaniard’s start at Roland Garros.
For reference: Roland Garros is the second Grand Slam tournament of the season, held on the clay courts of Paris. In 2026, the competition once again brought together the world's best tennis players, and for Spanish fans, particular interest lies in the performances of local athletes and the prospects of their rivals in the title race.
