Aryna Sabalenka defeats Naomi Osaka under the lights at Roland Garros

The Parisian night belonged to Aryna Sabalenka as the world number one seized a rare chance for the women’s game to shine under the lights at Roland Garros.

For the first time in three years and only the fifth time since the one-match night session was introduced in 2021, a women’s match was given centre stage, ending a sequence of 33 consecutive men’s contests.

Sabalenka’s fourth-round clash with four-time grand slam champion Naomi Osaka was one of the biggest matches of the tournament so far, but the Japanese star was outplayed in a 7-5 6-3 defeat lasting an hour and 27 minutes.

The victory means Sabalenka has reached at least the quarter-finals in her last 14 major tournaments and she has a first French Open title firmly in her sights.

“She’s such a great player, always tough battles against her,” said Sabalenka. “I’m mostly happy the way I served and I was able to put the pressure back on her. It’s amazing to play in the night session in front of you all.”

Tournament director Amelie Mauresmo has repeatedly cited concerns over the length of women’s matches and giving value to ticket-holders as the primary reason for not scheduling them during the night session.

The Australian and US Opens both put two contests in their evening schedules but Roland Garros organisers do not want the sort of early morning play that often occurs at those events.

With the top half of the men’s draw devoid of its expected stars, though, not scheduling this match in prime-time would have been akin to a closed door for the women.

Speaking to reporters earlier on Monday, Mauresmo said: “I think this match is the best match of the day. Multiple grand slam winners, so it was, for us, obvious this should be the night session.”

Sabalenka was also