Aryna Sabalenka made it through to the last 16 of the Italian Open on Sunday after coming from a set down to beat Sofia Kenin 3-6, 6-3, 6-3.
World number one Sabalenka had to work hard against former Australian Open champion Kenin, but she got the win and will now face Marta Kostyuk, who beat Leylah Fernandez 6-4, 6-2.
With three-time Rome winner Iga Swiatek knocked out by Danielle Collins on Saturday, Sabalenka now has a great chance to win her first title in Rome and her third WTA 1000 title of the season.
She has reached the final in her last four tournaments and won both Miami and Madrid, making her the favourite at the Foro Italico — despite not playing her best on Sunday.
Sabalenka, who lost in last year’s final, struggled in the first set, often missing her backhands and even seemed to complain about the court.
She kept showing frustration with her game but slowly found her rhythm, finally breaking Kenin on her seventh attempt in the third set — though she was broken straight back to love.
Still, Sabalenka fought through and proved too strong in the end, showing great determination despite not being at her best.
In the men’s, Carlos Alcaraz will continue his push for a first Rome title later today when he faces Laslo Djere on centre court.
Alcaraz, the third seed, could meet Jannik Sinner in the final. Sinner returned from a three-month doping ban on Saturday with a strong win over Mariano Navone.
Arthur Fils pulled off an impressive comeback to beat former Rome finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 in a thrilling match at the Grand Stand Arena.
The Frenchman could now face defending champion Alexander Zverev, who plays Lithuanian qualifier Vilius Gaubas.
Daniil Medvedev had a comfortable 6-4, 6-1 win over Alexei Popyrin and might next face Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti, who plays Brandon Nakashima after Sabalenka on centre court.
