Sabalenka Advances to Rome Round of 16

Mon May 13 2024
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ROME: Aryna Sabalenka, the reigning Australian Open champion, secured her spot in the Rome Open’s round of 16 on Sunday with a commanding straight-sets victory over Dayana Yastremska, triumphing 6-4, 6-2.

The second-seeded Sabalenka clinched her first victory in four encounters against the Ukrainian, setting the stage for a showdown in the next round against either Elina Svitolina, a two-time Foro Italico victor, or Anna Kalinskaya.

The 26-year-old Belarusian dominated her match against Yastremska, needing just one hour and 28 minutes to dispatch her opponent without relinquishing a service game, displaying unwavering control throughout the encounter.

Despite never having claimed victory in Rome, Sabalenka, a two-time Madrid clay champion, appears poised to replicate her 2022 semifinal run. Meanwhile, Maria Sakkari is poised for a potential clash with Victoria Azarenka in the round of 16, pending Azarenka’s match against Egyptian Mayar Sherif later on Sunday.

On the men’s side, Novak Djokovic is set to return to center court to face Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo, eyeing his sixth Rome title and a record-extending 41st Masters 1000 crown. Despite concerns stemming from an accidental head injury sustained while signing autographs, Djokovic confirmed his participation in the third round, even making light of the incident by wearing a bicycle crash helmet during practice.

An early exit for the 24-time Grand Slam champion would have cast a shadow over the tournament, which serves as the final major event before Roland Garros later this month, already missing notable players like Italian world number two Jannik Sinner and third-ranked Carlos Alcaraz. The absence of fan favorites, including former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini and Lorenzo Musetti, coupled with Rafael Nadal’s surprising second-round defeat by seventh seed Hubert Hurkacz, has left home supporters yearning for more.

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