Aryna Sabalenka had to fight to beat Marta Kostyuk 6-1, 7-6 (10/8) in the day’s final match, taking just half an hour to win the first set but then being truly tested before sealing a spot in the women’s last eight.
“I’m just thrilled with the performance today, I really enjoyed this fight and super happy to get this win,” she said.
Kostyuk engaged Sabalenka in a series of exciting rallies and pushed Sabalenka, with the 20-point game seven of the second set a particular high point of their battle.
World number one Sabalenka has reached the final of her last four tournaments, winning in both Miami and Madrid, and is favourite at the Foro Italico following the early elimination of reigning champion Iga Swiatek on Saturday.
Sabalenka will face eighth seed Qinwen Zheng next with a third 1000 series crown of the season just before the tennis world decamps to Paris for the second Grand Slam of the year.
Coco Gauff could be Sabalenka’s opponent in the semifinals after the American made short work of Emma Raducanu, winning 6-1, 6-2 in just over an hour to reach the last eight, where Mirra Andreeva awaits.
In the quarterfinals, Peyton Stearns, who beat Naomi Osaka, will face Elina Svitolina, a 6-4, 6-2 winner over Danielle Collins, after coming through an attritional match which lasted the best part of three hours on a baking centre court.
Content Source: sportstar.thehindu.com