Sabalenka spoke afterwards and admitted it was a really tough match as she claimed it 6-7(1), 6-4, 7-5 to win through and that it is especially the case when there has been limited action - with the No.5 seed's only action coming in tournaments back in Belarus and at the Top Seed Open last week.

"[Bellis] played really well," Sabalenka told the media, after her win. "I tried my best, and she put me under pressure, and I was trying just to handle it."

"I knew it was going to be tough, because we didn’t play for four, five, or six months, and I’m just proud of myself that I could handle all of these emotions going through, and finally to win this match," Sabalenka stated.

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