Aryna Sabalenka (No. 2) fought hard to overcome the 19-year-old player Robin Montgomery (No. 183) 6-1, 6-7(5), 6-4 and advance to the fourth round of the
Madrid Open. The Belarusian extends her streak to 8 consecutive victories in Madrid and remains in contention to defend her title.
The first set started with Sabalenka's dominant display, as she looked much more comfortable on the court than her opponent. She saved a couple of break points against her in the opening game and quickly secured a break to take a commanding 3-0 lead with her serve. Although Montgomery managed to hold her serve once, Sabalenka kept her foot on the gas and comfortably claimed the set 6-1 in 41 minutes.
Sabalenka's dominance shifted in the second set, with the American improving her serve points won from 44% to 71%. Montgomery saved a couple of break points against her in the seventh game, and everything remained level until the tie-break, where the teenager held on to her early advantage and clinched the second set 7-6(5) on her third set point.
The former world No. 1 took an early lead in the third set at 2-0, but quickly surrendered her service, bringing the score to 2-2. Both players continued the trend from the previous set, with neither giving their opponent any chances in their service games.
However, tension peaked with the score at 5-4 in favor of Sabalenka, as the Belarusian took the initiative from the return and secured the crucial break just when it seemed headed for another tie-break, sealing the victory 6-1, 6-7(5), 6-4 in 2 hours and 32 minutes.
Sabalenka remains on course to defend her 2023 title, but now she faces
Danielle Collins (No. 15), who is on a streak of 15 consecutive victories and comes off a win against
Jaqueline Cristian (No. 73) with a score of 3-6, 6-4, 6-1.