Elena Rybakina is into the second week of Roland Garros after a 6-4 6-2 win over Elise Mertens.
The Kazakh is into the last 16 at Roland Garros for the second time in her career after a convincing win over the Belgian.
Rybakina will now look to repeat her 2021 result as she bids to reach the quarter-finals when she takes on Elina Svitolina or Ana Bogdan.
Despite the victory, it was a tough start for Rybakina who was under pressure in the third game as Mertens produced some aggressive forehands early on in the contest.
The early pressure from Mertens paid off as she broke in the fifth and seventh games with some aggressive and athletic play.
That was the good news, the bad news was Rybakina’s returning was just as clinical and effective as she moved the Belgian from side to side.
Three breaks of serve in a row and a hold in the ninth game secured the opening set for Rybakina as Mertens struggled to consistently dictate the tempo of the match.
There was a good start from Mertens but the consistency of her aggression was a problem as Rybakina was serving consistently well under the Philippe Chatrier roof.
A break in the fourth game secured a 3-1 lead and Rybakina went from strength to strength as she played her best match of the contest.
Whether it was at the net or at the baseline, Mertens had no success as Rybakina secured her fifth break of the match in the eighth game to secure victory.
Now Rybakina will look to reach her second Roland Garros quarter-final when she takes on Elina Svitolina or Ana Bogdan on Monday.
