World number one Aryna Sabalenka is through to the quarter-finals of the Madrid Open after a 6-2 6-4 victory over Peyton Stearns on Tuesday. (More Tennis News)
Sabalenka is a two-time winner of the tournament, having lifted the trophy in 2021 and 2023, and she kept her hopes of number three alive by beating the world number 44.
The pair previously met at Indian Wells last year, where Stearns had four match points and was eventually beaten in a third-set tie-break.
This meeting, meanwhile, was closer than the score suggested, with Stearns having plenty of opportunities during Sabalenka's service games.
In total, Stearns had 13 break points during the match but was only able to convert her 13th.
In the first set, the American had 10 break opportunities, but Sabalenka was able to hold her nerve on each and save all of them.
Stearns' only break of the match helped drag her to 3-3 in the second set and she then duly followed with a hold to get 4-3 up, but it would be the last game she won in the match.
Sabalenka saved some of her best shots for the final three games and was able to avoid another three-set thriller.
Sabalenka will now face either Marta Kostyuk or Anastasia Potapova in the quarter-finals of the competition.
Data debrief: Steely Sabalenka fights through
Sabalenka managed to convert four of her seven break points in the match, compared to just one in 13 for Stearns.
With her win, she is also now on 20 at the Madrid Open in just 24 matches – only Serena Williams (22) has managed that total in fewer matches.
Sabalenka also went 14-0 up against players ranked outside the top 40 this season.
