Aryna Sabalenka is into the Roland Garros quarter-finals after defeating Sloane Stephens 7-6(5) 6-4.
The Australian Open is into the last eight for the first time in Paris after a close contest with the former finalist.
Stephens produced a first set comeback but ultimately fell short of the world number two.
Sabalenka will now face Elina Svitolina for a place in the semi-finals on Tuesday.
It was a dominant start from Sabalenka who found her power from the baseline early.
A frequent amount of unforced errors from Stephens didn’t help but ultimately it was an aggressive start from Sabalenka.
The second seed produced title-winning form as she converted two of her three break points, winning the opening five games with minimal fuss.
However the former US Open champion was never going to back down without a fight and Stephens produced a comfortable service game in the sixth game to inspire some confidence.
That game was a platform to build on for Stephens, who hit freely through the ball while Sabalenka was feeling the pressure of closing out the set.
Stephens converted her third break point of the game to earn one of the breaks back in the seventh game.
There was more pressure and resistance from Sabalenka in the eight game but Stephens produced effective counter-punching tennis to save set point and seal a third consecutive game.
There was a consistency about Stephens’ game now especially when defending and that drew out errors from Sabalenka.
Another break of serve was sealed as this opening set was now back on serve.
Both players continued to produce simple mistakes on big points while also playing with freedom and consistency when the pressure wasn’t on.
In the end it was the world number 30 who was more clutch on the bigger points as she saved three more set points to hold for 5-5.
Neither player backed down from the challenge of turning defence into attack as the opening set went to a tiebreak.
Stephens had a mini-break lead on two separate occasions at 4-2 and 5-4 after Sabalenka failed to land big backhands into the court.
However the former finalist produced erratic errors on big points and Sabalenka grinded away to edge the tiebreak 7-5.
First blood went to Sabalenka not only in terms of winning the opening set but also securing the opening break in the set.
There was a more reassured Stephens on the other side of the net, who started the second set much better than she did in the first.
That didn’t matter in the fifth game as Sabalenka’s consistent power was too much for the American as she broke in the fifth game for a 3-2 lead.
Seemingly cruising to victory, Sabalenka had a lapse of concentration in the eighth game which lead to some quality returns from Stephens, who broke back for 4-4.
Stephens was 40-0 up, firing away on serve but Sabalenka’s determination to get the match won in straights proved too strong.
The second seed produced consistently good returning and immediately broke back to have the chance to serve out the match.
Sabalenka secured the win for a hold to love which was followed by a massive roar as she booked a place in the last eight.
After the match Sabalenka described the match as ‘crazy’ and praised the atmosphere, “It was a crazy match. Great fight. She played unbelievable tennis and coming back from that score is something unbelievable,” Sabalenka was quoted as the BBC as saying.
“I was just a little bit lucky in the first set in the end to get that set. Thank you everyone for the support and the atmosphere. I didn’t expect that much people watching our match and it was amazing atmosphere. Thank you so much. It was really amazing playing in front you.”
Sabalenka will now play Elina Svitolina for a place in the semi-finals.
