'I couldn't keep up': Roaring Aryna Sabalenka ends Aussie hopes in Paris
Australia will not have a singles champion at Roland-Garros this year after world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka ended Daria Kasatkina's charge in Paris.
Sabalenka annihilated Kasatkina in the first set on centre court but the 29-year-old was much more competitive in the second.
Sabalenka's 6-0, 7-5 third round win sets up a dream round-of-16 meeting with Naomi Osaka.
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Aryna Sabalenka reacts on her way to victory over Daria Kasatkina of Australia. Getty
Kasatkina was the last of Australia's 13 singles players to bow out of the French Open.
The last Aussie to win a singles title in Paris was Ash Barty in 2019.
"Honestly, I think it was a pretty good match," Kasatkina told Stan Sport's Chris Stubbs.
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Daria Kasatkina of Australia. Getty
"In the first set her level was just a bit too high, you know, I couldn't keep up. I couldn't find a way how I could be able to win the points. It changed in the second set where, you know, I kind of realised what's going on.
"What I have to do, how the ball is coming to me, like what she's doing, you know, so the picture was a bit more clear.
"But honestly it felt pretty good to play again on the big court, on the big stage, you know, against world No.1. I think in the second set I put quite a good fight.
Daria Kasatkina and Aryna Sabalenka embrace at the net. Getty
"I had my few chances, couldn't take them, but at the end of the day it's tennis and yeah, just, happy to be back there.
Earlier, Naomi Osaka beat 18-year-old American opponent Iva Jovic 7-6 (5), 6-7 (3), 6-4 after nearly three hours in her 100th Grand Slam match.
Sabalenka has won two of her three encounters with Osaka.
"I feel like the last one in Madrid was, really tight match, was great level," Sabalenka said.
"She really stepped in and raised her level in the last match. I'm just ready for the fight.
"I'm ready to go out there to fight for that match, for that win. (I'm) ready to do anything it takes to get the win."
