Photo credit: Mutua Madrid Open Facebook
Rattled by reunion in the first set, Aryna Sabalenka found her rhythm and restored order in Madrid.
Facing her good friend, Sabalenka stormed through seven of the last eight games dispatching Elise Mertens 3-6, 6-2, 6-1.
It was Sabalenka’s 16th victory in her last 18 matches, sending her into the Mutua Madrid Open round of 16 for the fourth time in seven appearances.
World No. 1 Sabalenka broke Mertens seven times, stamping her ninth consecutive victory over her former doubles partner, to improve to 10-2 against the Belgian.
“Always tough ones against Elise,” Sabalenka said. “I had no idea how I was able to turn around this match and bring such a great level in the second and third sets.
“I’m super happy with the win. It was really a tough match. Thank you guys for coming and supporting.”
The top-seeded Sabalenka will play either American Peyton Stearns or Swiss qualifier Rebeka Masarova for a quarterfinal spot.
Though Sabalenka scored first break blood for a 2-0 lead today, the crafty Mertens responded with a four-game run. Creating angles with her backhand, Mertens broke at love snatching a one-set lead.
The women with the tiger tattoo on her arm restored the roar immediately to start the second set. Sabalenka sped to a 5-0 second-set lead. Mertens saved a pair of set points avoiding the bagel only to see the Belarusian baseliner serve out the second set at love on her second attempt.
“Honestly, I was just trying to play point by point,” Sabalenka said. “And I was trying to find the rhythm on my serve and I think the moment I started focusing on the timing and not overhitting I think things really clicked.”
Exploiting successive double faults from the Belgian, Sabalenka broke for a 3-0 third-set lead.
Mertens hit her second ace to get on the board for 1-4 in the third set.
Showing soft touch and versatility, Sabalenka used the backhand drop shot to dodge a break point in the sixth game before blasting a backhand winner down the line. That shot stretched her lead to 5-1.
Sabalenka sifted a slick forehand drop shot to seal a two-hour win and sustain her dominance of her doubles partner.