"It's tough to play your best friend," sighed Aryna Sabaenka - but it didn't look that way for long as she swept aside Paula Badosa to march into the last-16 of the French Open on another rain-hit day at Roland Garros.
As the drizzle continued to wreak havoc with the programme outdoors on Saturday, the No.2 seed dispatched her pal to march into the fourth round on the covered Court Philippe Chatrier straight after fourth seed Elena Rybakina also eased through with a 6-4 6-2 win over Elise Mertens.
Australian Open champ Sabalenka, who's been great friends with former world No.2 Badosa for five years, didn't find it easy to subdue the Spaniard in the early stages as they swapped seven service breaks before the Belarusian finally prevailed.
