Sabalenka powers past ‘best friend’ Badosa in Paris

Aryna Sabalenka continued her quest for a first French Open title by fighting past best friend Paula Badosa to reach the fourth round.

Belarusian Sabalenka, who reached the semi-finals last year, won 7-5 6-1 against the Spanish former world number two.

A competitive and entertaining first set, where both players demonstrated their power from the baseline, saw seven breaks of serve before second seed Sabalenka closed it out.

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Badosa, who has fallen down the rankings after a stress fracture in her back, saved three match points before putting a backhand long on the fourth.

Two-time major champion Sabalenka will play either American 14th seed Madison Keys or her compatriot Emma Navarro, seeded 22nd, next.