Aryna Sabalenka continued her dominant run at Roland Garros by dispatching Daria Kasatkina 6-0, 7-5 in a commanding third-round performance on Court Suzanne-Lenglen. The victory was more than just a ticket to the fourth round—it marked Sabalenka's 100th career win as the world No.1, a milestone that only eight other players in WTA history have ever achieved.
The Belarusian star, who has held the top ranking for an uninterrupted 80 weeks since October 2024, showed her ruthless form by breaking Kasatkina five times and saving all four break points she faced. The first set was particularly one-sided, with Sabalenka dropping just six points in a 20-minute whitewash. The second set proved more competitive, but Sabalenka's composure under pressure saw her seal the win in straight sets.
With this result, Sabalenka joins an exclusive club that includes Martina Navratilova, Steffi Graf, Chris Evert, Serena Williams, Martina Hingis, Monica Seles, Iga Swiatek, and Justine Henin. Each of these players achieved 100 or more victories while occupying the No.1 ranking, a testament to prolonged dominance at the sport's highest level. Sabalenka is the first new addition to the list since Swiatek joined it in 2023.
Sabalenka's Rise to the Top
Sabalenka first ascended to world No.1 on October 21, 2024, after a stellar season that included winning the Australian Open and reaching the final at Wimbledon. Her powerful baseline game and aggressive style immediately set her apart, allowing her to challenge and eventually overtake Iga Swiatek, who had held the ranking for much of the previous two years.
Since reaching the top, Sabalenka has fended off challenges from Swiatek, Elena Rybakina, and Coco Gauff. Rybakina had a chance to reclaim the No.1 spot at this very tournament, but her shock second-round loss to Yuliia Starodubtseva removed that possibility, leaving Sabalenka with an opportunity to extend her lead further.
Sabalenka's path to this milestone has not been without setbacks. She lost the 2025 Roland Garros final to Coco Gauff in three sets under blustery conditions, a match that remains one of the most memorable in recent tournament history. Since then, she has worked tirelessly on her movement and mental resilience, elements that have been on full display in Paris this year.
Milestone in Context
The 100-win-as-world-No.1 mark is notoriously difficult to reach. It requires not only reaching the top but consistently winning tournaments and deep runs at majors over an extended period. Serena Williams, for example, achieved her 100th win as No.1 during her second stint atop the rankings in 2013. Martina Navratilova holds the all-time record with 299 such wins, while Steffi Graf has 247.
Sabalenka's achievement comes in just her second full year as the top-ranked player, a pace that suggests she could climb higher on the all-time list if she maintains her current form. She is also only the fourth active player to join the club, alongside Swiatek, Rybakina, and Gauff, though Rybakina's recent dip in form has slowed her progress.
Next Challenge: Naomi Osaka
Awaiting Sabalenka in the fourth round is Naomi Osaka, a four-time grand slam champion who has been working her way back into the elite of the game. The two have met three times, with Sabalenka leading 2-1. Their most recent encounters came earlier in 2026 at Indian Wells and Madrid, both won by Sabalenka. In Madrid, however, Osaka took the first set before Sabalenka's power and depth eventually overwhelmed her.
Osaka's only victory over Sabalenka came in 2018 at the US Open, a match that catapulted Osaka to prominence as she went on to win her first major title. Since then, Sabalenka has developed into a more complete player, adding variety to her game while maintaining her trademark intensity.
The upcoming match promises to be a compelling clash of styles. Osaka's flat groundstrokes and aggressive returning will test Sabalenka's serve, while Sabalenka will look to use her heavy topspin to push Osaka behind the baseline. Both players are capable of winning matches from unlikely positions, making the encounter one of the most anticipated of the tournament's second week.
Potential Semi-Final Rematch with Gauff
If Sabalenka advances past Osaka, she could face defending champion Coco Gauff in the semi-finals. Gauff, who beat Sabalenka in the 2025 final, is playing some of the best tennis of her career and has yet to drop a set in Paris this year. Their rivalry has become one of the defining storylines of the current WTA Tour, with each pushing the other to new heights.
Sabalenka said after her third-round win that she would not look past Osaka but acknowledged that a potential clash with Gauff would be a different challenge entirely. "Coco is a great player, and we have had some amazing matches. But right now, I am focused on Naomi. Every round gets tougher," she told reporters.
The winner of that potential semi-final would be the heavy favorite to lift the Coupe Suzanne-Lenglen on June 8, with the other half of the draw weakened by early exits from Elena Rybakina and Jessica Pegula.
Historical Significance
Sabalenka's 100th win as world No.1 is a reminder of her remarkable consistency at the top of the game. She has won three of the last five grand slams—the 2025 Australian Open, the 2025 US Open, and the 2026 Australian Open—and is now aiming for her first Roland Garros title. Only Steffi Graf, Martina Navratilova, and Serena Williams have won 100 matches as No.1 and also claimed the French Open title in the same season. Sabalenka has the chance to become the fourth.
Beyond the statistics, Sabalenka's achievement underscores the depth of talent in women's tennis today. With Swiatek, Gauff, Rybakina, and Osaka all in the mix, the competition at the top has never been fiercer. Sabalenka's ability to separate herself from this group and consistently perform at the highest level is what makes her milestone so impressive.
As she prepares for her next match, Sabalenka carries with her the confidence of a player who has already written her name into the sport's history books. Whether she can add a first Roland Garros crown to her legacy remains to be seen, but if her form in the early rounds is anything to go by, she will take some stopping.
Source: Tennis365 News