Roland Garros 2026: Sabalenka's epic battle against Osaka and the ultimate challenge for Berrettini.

Roland Garros 2026 is entering its most dramatic phase as the title contenders begin to clash. The spotlight is on the showdown between world number one Aryna Sabalenka and former champion Naomi Osaka, along with the surprising run of "giant killer" Juan Manuel Cerundolo in Paris.

Sabalenka and Osaka: A battle of steel fists

The match between Aryna Sabalenka and Naomi Osaka was considered an early final in the women's singles. Both possessed explosive attacking styles, relying on thunderous serves and the ability to dominate the game from the baseline.

Sabalenka is displaying devastating form as the world number one. The Belarusian player advanced to the fourth round without losing a single set, most recently with a dominant victory over Daria Kasatkina. Meanwhile, Naomi Osaka is showing a strong transformation on clay courts – a surface not traditionally her forte. Improvements in her movement and patience in long rallies have helped the Japanese player overcome a series of tough opponents to reach this round.

Although Sabalenka leads 4-1 in head-to-head matches, including their most recent victory at the Madrid Open, Osaka's current form promises an unpredictable scenario. If Osaka maintains her serving performance and makes good use of counter-attack opportunities, the match could easily go to a third set.

Cerundolo vs Berrettini: A test of physical fitness and mental fortitude.

In the men's singles, Juan Manuel Cerundolo is writing a fairytale in Paris this year. The Argentinian player caused a sensation by eliminating the number one seed Jannik Sinner and just endured a grueling six-hour marathon match against Martin Landaluce. His tenacious defensive play and the characteristic tenacity of a clay court specialist make Cerundolo a formidable obstacle for any opponent.

His opponent, Matteo Berrettini, is equally impressive in terms of stamina. The Italian player just defeated Francisco Comesana after a tense five-set match. Berrettini's weapons remain his powerful serves and his signature "hammer" forehand. This is the first time the two players have met, creating an interesting contest between one with consistent ball control and the other with a powerful, one-touch attacking style.

Roland Garros schedule for June 1, 2026

Here are the details of the most notable matches on the second day of Round 4:

With their consistency and experience in crucial moments, Sabalenka and Berrettini are still considered slightly superior by experts. However, at a tournament full of surprises like Roland Garros, the craziest scenarios can happen.

Thanh Vinh