Aryna Sabalenka’s dominant hard-court season confirmed no indicators of slowing down as she cruised into the final 16 of the China Open with a dominant win over Ashlyn Krueger.
Sabalenka received 6-2 6-2 in Beijing in opposition to her American opponent to assert her 14th consecutive victory.
The Belarussian began her streak with a title in Cincinnati in August and continued it on the US Open earlier this month to assert her third Grand Slam title. She additionally received the Australian Open earlier within the yr.
The highest-seeded Sabalenka transformed 5 of her seven break level alternatives in a lopsided contest in opposition to Krueger and can subsequent face Madison Keys, hoping to equal her career-best 15 consecutive victories set in 2020-21.
“Well, maybe right now, like, I’m not playing my best tennis,” Sabalenka stated. “But I think the way I’m controlling my emotions and the way I’m holding myself sometimes really helping me to stay in most of the matches, in those difficult situations to keep fighting and keep playing my best tennis.”
Keys had a 6-3 6-3 win over Beatrice Haddad Maia of Brazil. Haddad Maia received the Korea Open final week however struggled to fight the baseline energy of Keys.
Osaka units up Gauff conflict
Former world No 1 Naomi Osaka continued her optimistic begin with new coach Patrick Mouratoglou with a 6-3 6-2 victory over Katie Volynets, advancing to a last-16 match in opposition to sixth-ranked Coco Gauff.
It is going to be the primary assembly between the 2 Grand Slam champions in additional than two years, with their head-to-head at the moment tied at 2-2.
“It’s going to be a really cool test for me,” Osaka stated. “She’s played really well this year. I’m excited to play the match, and I know people are excited to watch the match.”
Osaka, who returned from maternity depart at first of this season and is 73rd within the present rankings, fired 5 aces and produced three service breaks.
The four-time main winner joined Mouratoglou shortly earlier than the China Open after splitting with Wim Fisette. Her run right here to this point is the primary time since Might that Osaka has had three consecutive wins.
Third seed Jasmine Paolini had a day to overlook as she was humbled 6-4 6-0 by No 45-ranked Magda Linette of Poland.
Fifth seed Qinwen Zheng eased by means of to the final 16 at her residence match with a 6-3 6-2 win over Argentina’s Nadia Podoroska.
What’s developing on Sky Sports activities Tennis in October?
- Shanghai Masters – ATP 1000 (October 2-13 – Jack Draper in motion)
- Wuhan Open – WTA 1000 (October 6-12 – Emma Raducanu in motion)
- Almaty Open, Kazakhstan – ATP 250 (October 14-20)
- Stockholm Open, Sweden – ATP 250 (October 14-20)
- European Open, Antwerp – ATP 250 (October 14-20)
- Japan Open, Osaka – WTA 250 (October 14-20)
- Ningbo Open, China – WTA 500 (October 14-20)
- Erste Financial institution Open, Vienna – ATP 500 (October 21-27)
- Swiss Indoors, Basel – ATP 500 (October 21-27)
- Guangzhou Open, China – WTA 250 (October 21-27)
- Toray Pan Pacific Open Tennis, Tokyo – WTA 500 (October 21-27)
Sky Sports activities+ has formally launched and will likely be built-in into Sky TV, streaming service NOW and the Sky Sports activities app, giving Sky Sports activities clients entry to over 50 per cent extra stay sport this yr at no additional price. Discover out extra right here.