Aryna Sabalenka beats bestie Paula Badosa in straight sets to reach the second week at the French Open... as the pair share warm embrace and touching tributes in Paris

Aryna Sabalenka put in a convincing display by toppling best friend Paula Badosa in straight sets as the four top-seeded women advanced to the second week for the first time in 11 years at the French Open.

Belarusian-born Sabalenka, the second seed and two-time Australian Open champion, admitted before the match that former world No 2 Badosa was her ‘favourite’ and said: ‘I love her so much, she’s really a great fighter.’

The Spaniard put up a decent fight in the first set but there was no love lost between the good pals from there as Badosa could not capitalise on a 5-3 lead and won just one further game, with Sabalenka ultimately triumphing 7-5, 6-1 in one hour and 17 minutes.

Badosa has fallen down the rankings in recent years due to a stress fracture in her back but has credited Sabalenka with helping her mentally. The pair exchanged a warm embrace at the net and were spotted making heart-shaped hand gestures as they passed in the players’ area.

‘She shows that she's such a natural, honest person,’ said Badosa. ‘Tennis needs players like her. She brings an amazing game on court, very intense. She's passionate. I think we need players with this kind of charisma. She's fun to watch.

‘Off court, she's a nice person, very genuine, always trying to help. Very normal and very humble. That's why we have this amazing relationship, because even though she wins 10 more slams, she's going to be the same person.’

The heartwarming stories did not stop there on Court Philippe Chatrier. One of the line judges was Lucas Feron, who uses a wheelchair after being badly injured – and went into a coma – after a brutal street mugging two years ago. Feron spent a year in recovery. 

Sabalenka had to battle through the first set but eased to victory in the second. She said: ‘I only wish this girl the best. I know how much she struggled. She knows that I'm always there for her, and if she needs to talk and ask something, I'm always there.’

Badosa was set to switch battling against her best pal to playing alongside another love interest, her boyfriend Stefanos Tsitsipas. But the mixed doubles match was postponed due to yet another day of torrential rain in Paris.

Elsewhere in the women’s event, 2023 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina won 6-4, 6-2 against Elise Mertens to see all four top seeds into the next round, with Coco Gauff and No 1 Iga Swiatek to play on Sunday.