Sabalenka reaches Madrid Open last 16; Bublik stuns Rublev
Aryna Sabalenka reaches the Madrid Open last 16 on Sunday, even as Alexander Bubik stunned defending champion Andrey Rublev.
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SABALENKA REACHES MADRID ROUND-OF-16 AFTER BEATING MERTENS
Sabalenka reaches the round-of-16 in Madrid after she defeated Elise Martens 3-6, 6-2, 6-1.
Furthermore, the 26-year-old Belarussian world No.1 was dragged to the limit after yielding the opening set before she bounced back in a big way.
Moreover, Sabalenka picked up the pace, particularly in the decider, to put away the No.26-ranked Mertens at the Caja Magica center court.
“I think it’s one of those days where I didn’t feel my best and I got super emotional in that beginning of the first set and put myself in a tough situation,” Sabalenka said.
“I’m really happy that I was able to bring such a high level in the second and the third set,” she added.
PAOLINI, PEGULA FALL
Jasmine Paolini and Jessica Pegula, however, fell and failed to join Sabalenka into the next round.
Moreover, Paolini absorbed a 2-6, 1-6 loss to Maria Sakkari, as she became one of two top 10 women’s seeds to be eliminated.
Furthermore, Pegula joined Paolini in the sidelines moments later after she yielded a 3-6, 2-6 setback to Moyuka Uchijima.
Pegula was the first career top 10 victory for her Japanese opponent.
Uchijima was 0-6 against the American No,4 prior to Sunday’s match.
Sakkari also ended a 0-8 losing run against top 20 players after beating her 29-year-old Italian world No6 opponent.
“Just went out and executed it perfectly. I didn’t give her (Paolini) any room to breathe. That was my goal — that is the goal against the very good players,” she said.
BUBLIK STUNS RUBLEV
Bublik stunned Rublev, 6-4, 0-6, 6-4, in men’s singles action.
Furthermore, the 27-year-old Kazakhstani world No.80 posted his 10th top 10 victory by ousting his 27-year-old Russian world No.8 foe.
Moreover, Bublik also advanced to the fourth round in Madrid for the fourth time.
He will next face either American Ben Shelton or Miami Open champion Jakub Mensik for a place in the quarterfinals.
Another men’s singles action match saw Brandon Nakashima beat Italin Flavio Cobolli, 7-5, 6-3.
