Iga Swiatek kept her quest for a fourth consecutive French Open title alive on Friday, battling past Romania’s Jaqueline Cristian to reach the last 16 at Roland Garros. She was joined in the fourth round by top seed Aryna Sabalenka and Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen.
In sweltering 30-degree heat on Court Suzanne Lenglen, Swiatek overcame a spirited challenge from world No. 60 Cristian, winning 6-2, 7-5 in just under two hours. The Polish star, now 23, was forced to dig deep in the second set, saving six break points to maintain her grip on the match.
“Today was much hotter than my first match when it was only 20 degrees,” said Swiatek. “But I’ve played in all kinds of conditions, and I’m happy I stayed solid when it mattered.”
Swiatek, now ranked fifth in the world, awaits the winner of a blockbuster third-round clash between Elena Rybakina and Jelena Ostapenko — the latter having beaten Swiatek in all six of their previous encounters.
Aiming to become the first woman since Suzanne Lenglen in 1923 to win four straight Roland Garros titles, Swiatek has not claimed a trophy since last year’s triumph in Paris.
Sabalenka Cruises Into Fourth Round
Earlier in the day, Aryna Sabalenka delivered a commanding performance on Court Philippe Chatrier, defeating Serbia’s Olga Danilovic 6-2, 6-3 in just 79 minutes.
“Olga is a fighter — I really enjoyed the battle,” said the Belarusian, who won the Madrid Open earlier this month. The 27-year-old will now face 16th-seeded American Amanda Anisimova, who defeated Denmark’s Clara Tauson 7-6(4), 6-4.
Zheng Stretches Roland Garros Win Streak to Nine
Eighth seed Zheng Qinwen continued her fine form, defeating Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko 6-3, 6-4 to reach the fourth round in Paris for the second time.
Zheng, who captured Olympic gold last year, has now won nine consecutive matches at Roland Garros. She next faces 19th seed Liudmila Samsonova of Russia, who beat Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska 6-2, 6-3. Both players are bidding to reach their first French Open quarterfinal.
Mboko, competing in her first Grand Slam main draw, said: “Today was a tough battle. Lots to learn from and I hope to come back stronger.”
Musetti, Rune Set Up Fourth-Round Clash
On the men’s side, eighth seed Lorenzo Musetti overcame a slow start to defeat Argentina’s Mariano Navone 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 in three hours and 25 minutes.
Coming off strong performances in Monte Carlo, Madrid, and Rome, the 22-year-old Italian recovered from dropping the first set to reach the fourth round in Paris for the third time.
“I’ve matured a lot. A few years ago, I’m not sure I could’ve turned that match around,” said Musetti.
Musetti will now face Holger Rune, who edged France’s Quentin Halys in five sets to reach the last 16.
Alcaraz Set to Close Day in Night Session
Reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz takes the spotlight in the evening session, facing Bosnia’s Damir Dzumhur in the third round. The second seed, who recently captured titles in Monte Carlo and Rome, is the title favorite and has reached the second week in 10 of his last 11 Grand Slam appearances.
