Kasatkina to face top seed Sabalenka at French Open after second-round win

Australian Daria Kasatkina will face world number one Aryna Sabalenka at the French Open after securing a second-round victory. Kasatkina, ranked 53rd, needed seven match points to defeat Switzerland's Susan Bandecchi 7-5, 7-6 (13/11).

Fellow Australian Kimberly Birrell was eliminated, losing to Ukraine's Oleksandra Oliynykova 6-3, 0-6, 7-6 (10/5). Meanwhile, top seed Sabalenka advanced by beating France's Elsa Jacquemot 7-5, 6-2, though she faced a first-set challenge.

Sabalenka expressed caution about her upcoming match with Kasatkina. "It's always challenging playing her," Sabalenka said. "She's a fighter. She's putting all of the balls back. You have to really work for each point, especially on the clay court."

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It's always challenging playing her. She's a fighter. She's putting all of the balls back. You have to really work for each point, especially on the clay court.

Last year's runner-up, Sabalenka, who is still seeking her first French Open title, acknowledged Jacquemot's strong performance. "That was a very tough opponent. Tricky match. I'm happy that I closed it in straight sets," she stated. "She played really incredible tennis and forced me to step in and play on another level. I am happy I could handle it and win."

Sabalenka broke early in the first set but was immediately broken back. The Belarusian had a set point on Jacquemot's serve but the French player matched her power. After winning the first set, Sabalenka dominated the second, breaking early and winning five consecutive games to secure her victory.

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That was a very tough opponent. Tricky match. I'm happy that I closed it in straight sets. She played really incredible tennis and forced me to step in and play on another level. I am happy I could handle it and win.