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World number one Aryna Sabalenka eased into the third round at the French Open on Thursday with a 7-5, 6-2 win over France’s Elsa Jacquemot.
Sabalenka snatched a tight opening set with a break in the final game and then swept Jacquemot aside to set up a meeting with Australia’s Daria Kasatkina.
The Belarusian has reached the final at five of the past six Grand Slams. She finished runner-up to Coco Gauff at last year’s French Open.
The 67th-ranked home hope Jacquemot pushed Sabalenka for long periods on Chatrier but ultimately could not live with the Belarusian’s power.
Sabalenka, chasing a fifth Grand Slam title and first at Roland Garros, will next take on Daria Kasatkina.
“She’s a fighter. She’s putting all of the balls back. You have to really work for each point, especially on the clay court,” Sabalenka said of Kasatkina.
Reigning champion Coco Gauff also booked her place in the last 32, seeing off Egyptian qualifier Mayar Sherif 6-3, 6-2.
The American, who could face Sabalenka in the semis in a rematch of last year’s final, got the better of a scrappy match featuring 11 breaks of serve.
“It was a physical match, a tough match, my patience was really tested today,” said Gauff.
Naomi Osaka edged closer to a possible last-16 meeting with Sabalenka after reaching the third round for the first time in seven years by beating Croatia’s Donna Vekic 7-6 (7/1), 6-4.
The four-time Grand Slam champion will face a tough test from American teenager Iva Jovic on Saturday after the 17th seed thrashed compatriot Emma Navarro 6-0, 6-3.
Sixth seed Amanda Anisimova, who lost the Wimbledon and US Open finals last year, progressed when her opponent Julia Grabher retired after losing the first set 6-0.
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