While there was much attention on another dazzling Osaka outfit and the timing of the clash – the first women’s night match at Roland Garros in three years – Sabalenka was all business in the pair’s first meeting on clay.
Despite being broken in her first service game, the 28-year-old quickly broke back and began to turn the screw on her opponent.
The pair traded a slew of forceful groundstrokes but it was Sabalenka’s improved variety that gave her an edge, as she eventually found another break and secured the first set with an ace.
An audacious backhand dropshot winner for an important hold to go 3-3 in the second set suggested the momentum lay with Sabalenka, which was solidified after she broke Osaka in the next game with a careful volley.
The world No.1 then held firm on serve to close out the set and the match.
“Super happy with my performance,” she told reporters in Paris. “I think the key was that I really stayed aggressive no matter what, and I was serving pretty well.”
She won 83 per cent of first serve points compared to Osaka’s 65 per cent and unleashed 12 aces.
After knocking out a fellow four-time major champion, Sabalenka is now the only remaining Slam winner across the men’s and women’s draws in Paris.
She faces a stern test against world No.25 Diana Shnaider on Wednesday, who came through a three-set battle with Madison Keys in the fourth round.
“Yeah, she’s a great player,” she said of Shnaider. “I’d say tricky game, changing the rhythm a lot, and moving well, great serving. So I’m super excited to face her for the first time and super excited for the fight.”