How Aryna Sabalenka matched Serena Williams with French Open run

Few have looked quite as good as Aryna Sabalenka at the French Open this year.

Arguably the most consistent Grand Slam performer in the women’s game currently, the world No 2 is in her seventh straight Grand Slam quarter-final after storming through her first four matches in Paris.

The Belarusian is yet to drop a set at Roland Garros this fortnight, with a straight-sets win over rising star and 22nd seed Emma Navarro arguably her most impressive win yet.

Much like last year, Sabalenka has arrived in the French capital with huge confidence, after sealing the Australian Open title back in January.

And her French Open run – which is by no means over yet – has seen her emulate Serena Williams in a special achievement.

Back-to-back winning streaks

Sabalenka won 12 straight matches at Grand Slam level last year, remaining unbeaten through the Australian Open and the French Open – up until her dramatic Paris semi-final loss to Karolina Muchova.

The Belarusian held match point in that contest, but ultimately suffered her first major loss of the season in a thrilling contest that finished 7-6(5), 6-7(5), 7-5 in favour of the Czech.

However, it had undoubtedly been a stunning run for her, with a win over Elena Rybakina in the Australian Open final – to win her first Slam title – by far and away the highlight.

Twelve months on, she is on a very similar run, with 11 consecutive match wins at Slam level so far in 2024.

Sabalenka cruised through the draw Down Under, not dropping a set on her way to the title, beating Coco Gauff in the last four before dispatching Zheng Qinwen in the final.

And she has been in a similarly emphatic mood in Paris, with her fourth-round win over Navarro preceded by victories against Erika Andreeva, Moyuka Uchijima, and Paula Badosa.

To win back-to-back Australian Open titles is one achievement, but to embark on strong Roland Garros runs immediately afterwards is hugely impressive.

Sabalenka is the first woman since Williams to win her first 11 matches at Grand Slam level in consecutive seasons, with the American doing so in 2009 and 2010.

4 incredible Grand Slam milestones highlight improved WTA consistency at French Open

Williams claimed the 10th major of her career in Melbourne 15 years ago, dispatching Dinara Safina in a dominant final to win her fourth title inside the Rod Laver Arena.

She followed that up by winning four matches at the French Open, only beaten by eventual champion Svetlana Kuznetsova in a thrilling last-eight battle.

It was a similar story for Williams the following season, when she won her fifth Australian Open title, battling past long-time rival Justine Henin in a three-set final.

And she again reached the last eight in Paris, this time beaten in three sets by eventual finalist Sam Stosur.

For Sabalenka to match this achievement is impressive, especially considering it has been rare for Australian Open winners to do well at the next Slam in recent times – let alone have success twice.

But she will be hoping to eclipse the American’s runs from 15 years ago, and match what the 23-time major winner did in 2015 – win back-to-back Australian and French Open titles.

The 5 women to win consecutive Australian and French Open titles – ft. Serena Williams and Steffi Graf