Aryna Sabalenka prevailed in her second match at the China Open taking down an inspired Brit in Katie Boulter.
The new World No.1 was in her second match atop the WTA Rankings and sealed a 7-5, 7-6(2) win. Straight sets but not 100% comfortable for the Belarusian.
Sabalenka had some early break points in the opening set, but it was the Brit who actually broke first at 4-3. But she then gave back her serve at 5-4 in serving for the set.
Sabalenka barely held at 6-5, but closed out the set at 7-5 in a set in which she faced 10 break points and didn't serve at her best.
Boulter again broke first, this time in the second set. But it was at 5-4 which allowed Boulter to attempt to serve it out. Albeit Sabalenka broke back immediately and outplayed Boulter to win the match in the latter stages. Just about doing enough at the right moments.
Caroline Garcia and Jessica Pegula are two other players that found their way through. Both in three sets. The latter saw off Anna Blinkova in just over two hours coming from a set down to breeze through.
While Garcia was a set-up winning the first in just 32 minutes, but Putintseva forced a decider which the Frenchwoman took to reach the Last 16. Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff are also both in action on Tuesday morning.
Sabalenka d. Katie Boulter 7-5 7-6(2) in Beijing Katie served for set 1 and set 2, but Aryna’s Tiger claws came out. A year ago, she might’ve let this match get away from her. But this is a new Aryna. This is world #1 Aryna, & she’s looking fiercer by the day. 🐅
