Story perspectives

Sabalenka Defeats Osaka 7-5, 6-3 at French Open

6/2/2026

Summary

Sabalenka Defeats Osaka

Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka defeated Japanese Naomi Osaka 7-5, 6-3 in the French Open fourth round at Roland Garros.
Osaka said the loss left her feeling enlightened, noting it was her first French Open fourth-round appearance and she looks forward to seeing her daughter.
She praised her physical condition after the clay campaign, welcomed the prime-time night session, and explained her gold sequined Nike outfit required 18 months of planning and multiple fittings.

Summary

Sabalenka Opens Night

Amelie Mauresmo said match length keeps women’s games out of the 20:15 night slot.
The Sabalenka-Osaka match was the fifth women’s night session since 2021 and the first in three years.
Critics say prime-time is usually reserved for men and note Sabalenka’s win could open more women’s night matches.
Quarter-finalist Maja Chwalinska is guaranteed at least €470,000 for reaching the last eight.

History

Historical Context

On September 20 1973, Billie Jean King defeated Bobby Riggs 6-4 6-3 6-3 before 30,472 fans and an estimated 50 million U.S. TV viewers, prompting the ITF to promise a 10 % rise in women’s prize money by 1975 and inspiring the US Open’s equal-pay policy. Sabalenka’s fourth-round win over Osaka at Roland Garros revives the same demand for prime-time women’s broadcasts.

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Sabalenka Defeats Osaka

Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka defeated Japanese Naomi Osaka 7-5, 6-3 in the French Open fourth round at Roland Garros.
Osaka said the loss left her feeling enlightened, noting it was her first French Open fourth-round appearance and she looks forward to seeing her daughter.
She praised her physical condition after the clay campaign, welcomed the prime-time night session, and explained her gold sequined Nike outfit required 18 months of planning and multiple fittings.

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