Simply Sublime Sabalenka produces incredible serving display to down Jelena Ostapenko, reaches Rome Open semi-finals

Aryna Sabalenka was almost routine in going about her business as she took down Jelena Ostapenko to reach the semi-finals of the Rome Open 6-2, 6-4 in a mind blowing serving display.

Sabalenka revealed that she wondered if she would even make it to play the match after sustaining a lower back injury against Elina Svitolina. She didn't train and was a major concern on Tuesday. But still she came out as if she wasn't injured at all and took to her business superbly.

“I was testing my body on the warmup and I felt, `OK, I’m probably going to go on the court and play,’ ” she told reporters. “And I’m super happy I was able to play without pain today. Hopefully, with every day I will feel better and better.

“I would definitely say that was the best performance of the tournament.”

Sabalenka finished the match with 12 winners and 11 unforced errors with Ostapenko going out of the tournament with 150 overall in four matches. She broke in the third and fifth games and each time a double fault was the clincher. She sprayed a backhand wide and one long to consolidate opportunities. The second set saw a single break in the seventh game. Sabalenka's serve was on true evidence.

She hit two serves including an ace to close it out in unreturnable style. Lasting only 72 minutes compared to her marathon win over Elina Svitolina, it is welcome comfort for the World No.2 who will face either Danielle Collins or Victoria Azarenka in the semi-finals. The other side of the draw sees Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff who will face off with the Pole having a heavy head to head advantage. Given that she only spent minimal time on court, she should be able to recover sufficiently to play that match against either of those top names in what could be a fiesty affair either way.