Sabalenka defeats Navarro to advance to the quarterfinals of the French Open

World number two Aryna Sabalenka defeated American Emma Navarro 6-2 6-3 in just over an hour on Monday, advancing to the French Open quarterfinals with an emphatic performance that kept her on track for her first title in Paris.

Navarro had stunned the Belarussian in Indian Wells in March, but Sabalenka broke her to love right away and then broke again to finish the first set in 30 minutes.

The Australian Open champion, who is unbeaten in 11 consecutive majors matches this year without dropping a single set, completely outclassed Navarro with her thundering baseline game and attacked the American's weak second serve whenever possible.

"It was really tough against her in Indian Wells," Sabalenka said.

"I was ready for a tough match, to fight for any point, for long rallies. I am super happy with the level I played today."

On a day of glorious sunshine in the French capital after days of rain, Sabalenka broke early in the second set with one of her 36 winners to lead 2-1 and leave Navarro with a mountain to climb.

"Definitely with the sun you are feeling positive," Sabalenka said. "It has been raining, now the beautiful conditions. I was just trying to focus on myself and do my best on each point."

The American attempted to change things up by adding more drop shots and altering the pace slightly.

She managed to hold on a little longer, but she couldn't avoid the inevitable, as the 26-year-old Belarusian, looking to add to her two Grand Slam titles, ended the match on her first match point.

In the final eight, she will face Varvara Gracheva of France or teenager Mirra Andreeva.

SportsLigue