By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Saturday April 29, 2023
2021 Madrid champion Aryna Sabalenka defeated Camila Osorio to reach the round of 16.
Photo Source: TTV
Madrid continues to be a happy hunting ground for World No.2 Aryna Sabalenka.
The 2021 champion rode past a stern challenge from resurgent 21-year-old Camila Osorio on Saturday in Madrid, 6-4, 7-5, to book her spot in the round of 16.
Sabalenka, who defeated Sorana Cirstea in the second round, will face either Magda Linette or Mirra Andreeva in the round of 16.
The only former champion remaining in the draw cracked 27 winners against just 13 for Osorio, and converted five of 12 break points as she wrapped up her tour-leading 25th victory of 2023.
“Today it was another tough battle and I expected that,” Sabalenka said. “It was a really great win and I’m super happy with my tennis today, and with this win.”
Sabalenka isn’t known as a clay guru, but her numbers say otherwise. She improved to 5-1 on the surface this year, with her only loss coming in the Stuttgart final at the hands of World No.1 Iga Swiatek. Saturday’s win pushes her career tally on clay to 41-21 overall – she is 27-9 on clay since the start of 2021 with a title in Madrid and three finals in Stuttgart.
Osorio fought valiantly after falling behind by a double break in the second set. She broke back and closed to 4-3, then broke Sabalenka again as she served for the match at 5-4.
Sabalenka promptly switched gears and won eight of the final nine points to close out her victory and improve to 2-0 against the Colombian talent.