Madrid – Top ranked Aryna Sabalenka defeated former doubles partner Elise Mertens in three sets and promoted to the final 16 games of Sunday’s Madrid Open.
Defending men’s champion Andrey Rublev lost to Alexander Bublik in three sets.
Sabalenka got a bad start in No. 26 Mertens, but the pace was comfortable to finish at the Caja Magica Center Court.
Madrid’s two-time champions won her hopes 3-6, 6-2, 6-1, her hopes are to reach the finals for the third time in a row. Sabalenka won the Spanish Capital championship in 2021 and 2023 and finished second in IGA Swiatek last year.
“I don’t think it’s the best I feel, and I got really excited at the start 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 set and third set, especially for someone like Ellis, who will be there to fight and put you under pressure if you give her any chance, so I’m very happy with the way I turned this game.”
It was Sabalenka’s ninth straight defeat of Mertens, who doubled her partner while winning the 2019 U.S. Open and 2021 Australian Open. Sabalenka has 14 consecutive matches against the Belgian.
“She is a great player, and the score between us doesn’t matter, it’s always a great fight,” Sabalenka said.
Sabalenka will next face Rebeka Masarova or Peyton Stearns.
After losing to Bublik 6-4, 0-6, 6-4, defending champion Rublev was eliminated.
It was the tenth top ten for No. 75 Bublik, who made his fourth round in Madrid.
Rublev doesn’t have to play in the last round due to Gael Monfils’ illness.
No.8 Rublev beat Felix Ouger-Aliassime in last year’s Spanish Capital Final.
Bublik will next face Ben Shelton or Miami champion Jakub Mensik in 16 rounds.
Brandon Nakashima surpassed Flavio Cobolli to enter the fourth round of the 1000 Masters Championship for the fifth time. The 32nd American will next meet Daniil Medvedev or Juan Manuel Cerundolo.
