French Open 2026: Osaka advances to the fourth round and Sabalenka dominates in the seventh round

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Aryna Sabalenka - Instagram/arynasabalenka Foto: Aryna Sabalenka - Instagram/arynasabalenka

The seventh round of Aberto of França 2026, in Roland Garros, moved the main courts of Paris with intense clashes and unexpected results. Former world number 1 Naomi Osaka booked her place in the fourth round for the first time in her career in an off-court Grand Slam, following a hard-fought victory over Iva Jovic. Enquanto That’s right, Aryna Sabalenka, one of the favorites for the title, demonstrated great superiority in her game, dominating the first set against Daria Kasatkina in an overwhelming way.

The day was also marked by notable upsets, such as the surprising elimination of Francisco Cerundolo by the rising Zachary Svajda in a five-set battle. Outros athletes, such as Diane Parry and Amanda Anisimova, played balanced matches, adding more excitement to the competition on French clay. The results establish new paths for the men’s and women’s singles tournaments, with the promise of even more disputes in the next stages.

Osaka secures place in the fourth round with hard-fought victory

Naomi Osaka achieved an unprecedented feat in his career, reaching the fourth round of Aberto from França for the first time. The Japanese tennis player overcame Iva Jovic in an exhausting clash, winning 7-6, 6-7, 6-4. The match was a true test of endurance and skill for both players, who fought for every point on Roland Garros’s courts.

The first set was decided in a tie-break, with Osaka prevailing 7-5 after a focused performance. The intensity of the duel did not diminish in the second set, which also extended to the tie-break, this time with Jovic prevailing 7-3, equalizing the match score. Este setback forced Osaka to remain calm and focused for the decisive set, where the Japanese woman’s experience spoke louder.

The third set followed the balanced pattern, with the tennis players exchanging games and the score indicating 3-3, 30-equal at a crucial moment. The quality of the tennis presented was extremely high, and both athletes showed determination to advance in the competition. Para Osaka, victory meant going the extra mile in a clay tournament, a surface where she has historically faced the most challenges. Jovic, at 18 years old, was looking for a personal milestone, but Osaka’s experience prevailed.

Servindo to stay in the game at 5-4, Jovic faced great pressure. A lucky touch at the net for Osaka took the score to 30-equals, raising the tension on Philippe Chatrier. Jovic tried an aggressive tactic, playing deep on Osaka’s left and looking for the right, but failed to execute, resulting in a match point for the opponent.

The match ended in exciting fashion when Jovic missed the ball, sending it over the baseline. The victory, although difficult, demonstrated Osaka’s ability to stand firm in moments of high pressure. Ela commented on the match, stating that he was calmer than in the first matches, recognizing the privilege of being at the tournament and thanking the public for their presence, who were facing the intense heat.

Sabalenka dominates first set and advances on Roland Garros

Aryna Sabalenka, world number 1 and one of the title favorites in Roland Garros, had a dominant start to the match against Daria Kasatkina. The Belarusian tennis player scored a “bagel” in the first set, winning 6-0 in an impressive performance. Sabalenka demonstrated total control of the game, showing his strength on the Parisian clay, despite coming into the tournament with doubts related to an injury and an inconsistent performance on this surface.

The player secured a break of service early on, taking a 2-0 lead and keeping the pressure on Kasatkina. He then secured a double break, establishing a score of 3-0. Sabalenka’s superiority was evident, with powerful strikes and precision that prevented any reaction from the opponent.

Para Daria Kasatkina, the year 2025 was marked by a significant decision: the Russian tennis player chose to change her sporting nationality, starting to represent Austrália. Essa exchange generated expectations that she could reach new heights in her career, seeking greater freedom and expressiveness both on and off the court. However, the results were not as expected, and Kasatkina, which already occupied 8th place in the world rankings, is currently in 53rd place. The match against Sabalenka reflected this phase of searching for consistency and adaptation.

Apesar dominated in the first set, Sabalenka allowed a break of serve early in the second set, with Kasatkina taking a 0-2 lead. Contudo, Sabalenka quickly regained control, breaking back and leveling at 2-2. The athlete continues her search for the fifth consecutive set won in the tournament, solidifying her position as a strong candidate for the Roland Garros trophy. Sua’s ability to react and the power of his blows are highlights in the competition.

Surpresa of Svajda eliminates Francisco Cerundolo in five sets

One of the most surprising results of the seventh round came from the clash between Zachary Svajda and Francisco Cerundolo. The American Svajda, number 85 in the world and with little previous success on clay, shocked the 25th seeded Argentine, winning the match in five exciting sets with scores of 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 4-6 and 6-3. Essa victory represents the biggest triumph of Svajda’s career, as he advances to the round of 16 against Grand Slam for the first time.

The match was a real test for Cerundolo, who was two sets down and started an impressive fightback, winning the third and fourth sets to force the fifth and decisive match. In a peculiar moment of the game, a member of the Cerundolo team left the box, claiming that he could no longer watch the Argentine player’s behavior on the court. The frustration was visible, but Cerundolo fought to stay alive in the confrontation.

In the fifth set, Svajda maintained his composure and served to seal the victory from the deuce, guaranteeing classification for the next phase. The 23-year-old’s performance was remarkable, exceeding expectations and demonstrating great potential on the clay surface. Sua’s next stop will be against Flavio Cobolli, in a confrontation that promises more emotions.

Zachary Svajda expressed his joy after the victory, aware of the magnitude of his achievement. Ele highlighted the importance of his preparation and the confidence he gained throughout the tournament. Svajda’s resilience was crucial in overcoming Cerundolo’s experience and advancing into Roland Garros, where he became one of the competition’s revelations. Sua trajectory demonstrates that ratings and prior history do not always determine the final outcome in an Grand Slam.

Berrettini and Cobolli confirm favoritism and continue in the tournament

Matteo Berrettini and Flavio Cobolli, two Italian names on the rise, confirmed their respective places in the next phase of Aberto’s França, demonstrating strength and consistency in their matches. Matteo Berrettini, making his first Roland Garros appearance in five years due to injury concerns, made a triumphant return. Ele overcame Argentine Francisco Comesana in a tight match, winning the first set in a tie-break 7-3.

Berrettini displayed a powerful serve, which adapted well to Paris’s hot clay, making the ball bounce high and making it difficult for the opponent to catch it. Sua’s ability to stay focused and execute his strikes with precision was key to securing the victory. The Italian tennis player is now aiming for a place in the round of 16, where he could face Juan Manuel Cerundolo – Francisco Cerundolo’s brother and who eliminated Jannik Sinner – or the Spanish Martin Landaluce. Expectations for their next games are high, given their promising performance after a long period of inactivity.

Flavio Cobolli, in turn, demonstrated great skill on clay, overcoming Learner Tien with a dominant score of 6-2, 6-2, 6-3. The Italian, who is the highest ranked in his country still in contention in Roland Garros, showed consistent and strategic tennis, controlling the match from the beginning. Sua’s victory was rated as a high-class performance, solidifying his position as a player to watch on the tour. Cobolli will face the winner of the duel between Francisco Cerundolo and Zachary Svajda, a confrontation that turned out to be full of surprises.

The performance of both Italians highlights the strength of Itália’s tennis on the current circuit. Berrettini, with his overcoming injuries and comeback in style, and Cobolli, with his solid and elegant performance, represent a significant threat to the other competitors. The determination and talent of these athletes promise more memorable moments during the Aberto of França 2026.

Diane Parry struggles, but Anisimova overcomes initial challenge

The confrontation between Diane Parry and Amanda Anisimova on the Philippe Chatrier court was marked by a comeback in the first set and a demonstration of resilience. Diane Parry, the French tennis player and PSG fan, had expressed a desire to play early so she could watch the Champions League final later, but her match turned out to be more challenging than expected. Anisimova, a finalist for Wimbledon and US Open last year, started strong, winning a break of serve and taking a 3-1 lead.

However, Parry showed great reaction power. Mesmo with her left thigh heavily bandaged, the Frenchwoman won four consecutive games, turning the score to 5-3. Esse’s feat was remarkable, considering that Anisimova had only lost four games to reach the third round of the tournament, and now saw his lead disappear in a matter of minutes. Parry had the serve to close out the set and reached set point at 40-30, but made a crucial error, being called for a foot fault on her second serve, which was also long.

Apesar made the mistake, Parry gained a second set point, but faltered again. Foi on the third set point Anisimova sent a forehand wide, allowing the Frenchwoman to take the first set 6-3. Simultaneamente, on another court, Aryna Sabalenka applied a “bagel” against Daria Kasatkina, highlighting the contrast of results in the same period. Parry’s victory in the first set was a testament to his determination and ability to bounce back in difficult moments, keeping the French public’s hope alive.

Anisimova, in turn, was forced to raise her level of play after Parry’s upset. The American tennis player, known for her power, needed to adjust her strategy to contain her opponent’s resilience. The game between the two athletes demonstrated the unpredictability of tennis and the importance of maintaining concentration at all points, especially in a Grand Slam like Roland Garros. Parry’s performance, despite the physical difficulties, was a highlight of the journey.

Outros matchups and highlights from day seven in Roland Garros

Aberto’s seventh round of França 2026 brought a number of other significant results and moments that shaped the tournament landscape. Além of Osaka, Sabalenka and Cerundolo duels, several other matches kept viewers engaged and revealed new talents or confirmed the strength of experienced athletes. The games took place under an intense sun at Paris, which demanded even more from the tennis players in terms of physical preparation and endurance.

On one of the courts, Russian Diana Shnaider faced Ukrainian Oleksandra Oliynykova. The match, which ended with a 7-5, 6-1 victory for Shnaider, was notable for the lack of greeting between the players at the end of the match, a reflection of current geopolitical tensions. Oliynykova regretted a lost set point in the first set, which could have changed the course of the match. The victory guaranteed Shnaider a place in the fourth round, highlighting their solidity on clay.

The young Frenchman Moise Kouame, one of the emerging stars and PSG fan, was also seen practicing with his team’s shirt, waiting for his turn to take the court after the clash between Aryna Sabalenka and Daria Kasatkina. The passion for football and the desire to play early to watch the Champions League final were feelings shared by some athletes, adding a cultural touch to the event.

The day also highlighted the struggle for consistency for players like Daria Kasatkina, whose 2025 nationality switch to Austrália has generated high expectations but has not translated into significant improvements in his ranking, which currently sits at 53rd, well below his best mark of 8th. Essa narrative adds a layer of complexity to your matches and overall performance on the circuit.

The quality of games on Roland Garros has been consistently high, with many even matchups and close contests. Naomi Osaka, when commenting on her performance, emphasized the importance of being calm and focused, recognizing the privilege of competing in an Grand Slam. Ela was pleased with her play on clay, a surface that has historically not been her strong point, and expressed her desire to continue advancing in the tournament.

The expectation for the coming days is that the level of competition will continue to increase, with many of the main names seeking their place in the final stages. The combination of experienced tennis players and new talent, along with challenging weather conditions, promises an exciting outcome for the Aberto of França 2026. The search for the title in Paris remains intense, with each match contributing to the story of this prestigious Grand Slam.

    Lista’s notable results from day seven:

  • Naomi Osaka beat Iva Jovic 7-6, 6-7, 6-4.
  • Aryna Sabalenka led Daria Kasatkina 6-0, 0-2 (with Sabalenka breaking to 2-2 in the second set).
  • Zachary Svajda shocked Francisco Cerundolo 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 6-3.
  • Diana Shnaider beat Oleksandra Oliynykova 7-5, 6-1.
  • Flavio Cobolli beat Learner Tien 6-2, 6-2, 6-3.
  • Matteo Berrettini beat Francisco Comesana 7-6 (7-3) in the first set.
  • Diane Parry beat Amanda Anisimova 6-3 in the first set.

The next clashes promise to keep the competition’s flame burning, with the possibility of high-level encounters, such as the potential duel between Aryna Sabalenka and Naomi Osaka in the fourth round. Attention now turns to the round of 16, where the athletes will seek to consolidate their campaigns towards glory in Roland Garros.

Luís Henrique Costa é jornalista formado pela FMU, editor-chefe e fundador do Mix Vale, portal de notícias em atividade desde 2013. Responde pela direção editorial do veículo, que cobre Brasil e mundo em economia, benefícios sociais, esportes, tecnologia, ciência e entretenimento. Atua na área há mais de 15 anos e lidera uma equipe de cerca de 15 colaboradores.

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