Sabalenka and Rybakina are the two players expected to challenge two-time defending champion Swiatek for the title.

Rybakina is the only player left who has a positive head-to-head record against the Pole while Sabalenka lost two clay-court finals to Swiatek in Rome and Madrid in the lead-up to Paris.

However, Sabalenka sent a warning to her rivals with her impressive win over Navarro.

She broke at the first opportunity and reeled off four games in a row, dominating Navarro with her huge serve and easy power off the forehand.

Navarro looked overwhelmed and only really came to life when trailing by a set and a break, forcing Sabalenka to deuce from 40-0 up at 2-1.

Rather than being troubled, Sabalenka simply sent down back-to-back 114mph aces to hold, and she lost just two more games from that point.

“I was going into it wanting to fight for every point,” Sabalenka said.

“She is a tough opponent but I am happy to get through the match.”

Rybakina was not quite as at ease as Sabalenka, but found her rhythm to see off a tricky opponent in Svitolina.

She had also lost her only previous meeting on clay against Svitolina in 2020 – but that was before she was a major champion and a permanent fixture in the world’s top five.

She struggled for consistency in the first set, with the two trading breaks before Rybakina started to move Svitolina around and come to the net more to see out the first set.

She let a double break lead slip in the second set, having led Svitolina 4-1 at one point, but her easy power and strong serving was enough to reach a second French Open quarter-final.

“I’m really happy with the performance – she is a great fighter,” Rybakina said.

“I am really proud of how I have improved in the last few years and I am happy to finally play under an open roof with good weather.”