By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Thursday April 21, 2022
The No.3 seed battled past Andreescu in three sets to reach the last eight at Stuttgart.
Photo Source: Getty
It has been a strange year for Aryna Sabalenka. The 23-year-old was high on the hog in 2021, after breaking through to reach her first two Grand Slam finals, at Wimbledon and the US Open, and finishing the season at No.2 in the WTA rankings.
But she has struggled mightily this year, plagued by double-faults and a general lack of consistency that has left her with an 8-8 record overall (after today’s win).
But the complexion of Sabalenka’s season may be changing. The Belarusian battled past Bianca Andreescu, 6-1, 3-6, 6-2 to reach the quarterfinals at Stuttgart on Thursday.
Sabalenka has lost her opening match at four of nine tournaments this year, but today she weathered the storm against the Canadian. She saved four break points while serving at 4-2 in the third and closed out the win in style – she will face either Anett Kontaveit or Ekaterina Alexandrova in the next round.
“She played unbelievable,” Sabalenka said on court after the match of the World No.121. “I’m super lucky that I got the win today. She pushed me really hard, and I’m super happy with the win.”
It was a positive performance for Andreescu, who was making her return from a six-month hiatus. She won her first-round match against German wild card Jule Niemeier, and looked strong against Sabalenka.
No.4-seeded Sakkari Retires Against Former Champ Siegemund
Maria Sakkari was forced to retire down 6-4, 3-1 to 2017 champion Laura Siegemund. The German will face Liudmila Samsonova, who topped Karolina Pliskova, 6-4, 6-4, on Thursday.
Jabeur Sets Badosa Clash
Ons Jabeur took out Daria Kasatkina, 6-3, 6-3, while No.2-seeded Paula Badosa edged Elena Rybakina, 6-2, 4-6, 7-6(4), setting a clash between the two. Jabeur has now won six of seven on clay this season, but has lost two of three to Badosa.
Badosa has now won her last four third-set tiebreaks. She squandered a 4-1 lead in the third against Rybakina, but recovered in time to improve to 19-7 on the season. The Spaniard is 31-12 lifetime on the clay.