Aryna Sabalenka put on the spot immediately after beating Naomi Osaka in night session | Tennis | Sport

Aryna Sabalenka beat Naomi Osaka in what was the first women’s night session match at the French Open since 2023. Roland Garros introduced night sessions five years ago, and this was just the fifth women’s match to get primetime billing. In a battle of the four-time Major champions, world No. 1 Sabalenka claimed a 7-5 6-3 victory, getting it done with a booming return.

Sabalenka had also won the last women’s nighttime match against Sloane Stephens three years ago. And she provided the entertainment for the evening crowd on Court Philippe-Chatrier. The Belarusian hit a staggering 39 winners during the match and was put on the spot when she was asked to dance at the end of her on-court interview, though she happily obliged.

Last year’s runner-up started the interview with a glowing review of her opponent. This was her third meeting with Osaka this year, and she’s won all three of them. “She’s such a great player, always tough battles against her, super aggressive tennis,” Sabalenka said.

“I’m mostly happy with the way I served and that I was able to put all of that pressure back on her. Happy with the win, was a very tough one. And, wow, it’s amazing to play the night session in front of you all.

“I really want to keep going, but who knows, right? Thank you so much for bringing such an amazing atmosphere and you guys really make this place special, so thank you.”

Sticking with the tennis, the top seed also spoke about her serve before attention turned to her team in her box. She talked the crowd through her support camp, from coaches Anton Dubrov and Max Mirnyi, to her fiance Georgios Frangulis, to her friends visiting from Los Angeles.

Then, retired French star Fabrice Santoro, who was conducting the interview, asked Sabalenka to dance. At the end of every match, the 28-year-old has been filmed coming down the stairs for Roland Garros’ social media channels, and she enjoys having a boogie while doing it.

Sabalenka had even turned this ritual into something of a dance battle with Novak Djokovic while he was still in the tournament, challenging him to bust some moves after his matches too. And Santoro wanted to see the world No. 1 do the same on the court.

“Tennis fans always love your dances backstage,” he started, as the fans started cheering, knowing what was coming. “I think centre court tonight will be very happy if you want to dance. It’s your choice, but music is ready.”

Sabalenka looked surprised. “Here?” she asked. “Only if everyone is dancing, okay? Everyone.” Santoro asked for the music, and the top seed added: “And everyone dance.”

The fans clapped along as the four-time Grand Slam champion stepped back from the microphone and cut some shapes. Santoro asked for her moonwalk, and she earned even more cheers as she channelled her inner Michael Jackson.

After a thriller of a night-session match, which saw a combined 59 winners from both women, Sabalenka is through to the last eight and will face 25th seed Diana Shnaider for a place in the semis.

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