Four-time Grand Slam champion Aryna Sabalenka was seen celebrating her latest French Open 2026 victory against Naomi Osaka, 7-5, 6-3, doing the late Michael Jackson's moonwalk dance step.

It was another entertaining match between the two multiple Grand Slam champions, as both players played the first women's night session at the French Open in three years. She beat Osaka to reach the quarter-finals of the French Open 2026.

"She is such a great player; she plays super aggressive tennis," Sabalenka said before moonwalking. "I’m happy with how I was able to put back the pressure on her. It’s amazing to play the night session in front of all of you guys."

Sabalenka was struggling against Osaka after having a nervous start, with Osaka leading the first set 2-0. But Sabalenka came back and, after winning the hard-fought set by 7-6, she never looked back.

Sabalenka hit 39 winners and 12 aces in total, reaching the quarter-finals of a major tournament for the 14th consecutive time.

“I didn’t expect I would serve that great,” Sabalenka said in the post-match presentation. “I feel like I’m getting better and better with every match I play, and overall I’m super happy with how I played today.”

Sabalenka's win ended Osaka's best-ever run at the French Open, as she had reached the last 16 for the first time at the tournament.

This was Osaka and Sabalenka's third meeting this year, with both meeting in Indian Wells and in Madrid. Sabalenka has beaten Osaka on all occasions this year.

The last time Osaka won against Sabalenka was in 2018, in the US Open final, when Osaka won her maiden Grand Slam title.

The top seed now looks at what is next for her in her journey to take the maiden French Open title.

Aryna Sabalenka Aims For Her Maiden French Open Title

Last year was Sabalenka's best-ever run in the tournament, reaching the final of the Grand Slam title before painstakingly losing to Coco Gauff.

This time around, Sabalenka looks more determined and focused on winning her maiden French Open title. She will now face Russian Diana Shnaider after she upset 2025 Australian Open winner Madison Keys.

"(At) this stage every time I'm just trying to focus on myself and making sure when I'm there competing," she said. "I'm fighting and doing everything I can with what I have at the moment."

She further elaborated, "That's my mindset; it's basically that I'm ready to do whatever it takes to get this beautiful trophy."

Sabalenka has won two Australian Opens and two US Opens so far and will hope to add a French Open title to her prestigious Grand Slam collection.

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Written by

Dhruv Singh

Edited by

Koushik Biswas