Aryna Sabalenka eyeing potentially ‘really special’ clash against Elise Mertens in Austria
Long-time doubles partners Aryna Sabalenka and Elise Mertens remain on track to meet in the final of the Upper Austria Ladies Linz after both booked their places in the quarter-finals.
The pair, who won the 2019 US Open women’s doubles, secured contrasting wins in the second round with top seed Sabalenka losing just three games en route to victory while Mertens required three sets.
World No 1 Sabalenka bagelled qualifier Stefanie Voegele from Switzerland in the first set, eventually securing a 6-0, 6-3 win in just over an hour.
.@SabalenkaA is through to the @WTALinz quarterfinals!
She defeats Voegele 6-0, 6-3 pic.twitter.com/Bb2SwJp4ms
— wta (@WTA) November 12, 2020
Second seed Mertens was made to battle for her win as she beat Vera Zvonareva from Russia 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in two hours and 32 minutes.
“I think this is the first time that this has happened, and it’s really cool,” Sabalenka said about sharing the top two seeding spots with Mertens. “I would like to play her in the finals, and that would be something really special.”
Sabalenka will take on Oceane Dodin for a place in the semi-final after the French qualifier beat Sorana Cirstea 6-4, 6-4.
Next up for Mertens is a quarter-final clash against fifth seed Veronika Kudermetova, who beat Arantxa Rus 6-4, 1-6, 6-3, while she could face fifth seed Nadia Podoroska in the semi-final.
French Open semi-finalist Podoroska was also forced to come from a set down to reach the last eight, beating 2018 champion Camila Giorgi 6-7 (4-7), 6-1, 6-4.
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
OlympicsMarketa Vondrousova’s dream turns into a reality as she stuns Elina Svitolina to reach final at Olympics
Marketa Vondrousova assured of a medal at the Tokyo Olympics.
-
Olympics‘To have the medal for me is the greatest thing,’ says Belinda Bencic after reaching Olympic singles final
Already assured of one Olympic medal, Belinda Bencic gunning for a second.
-
Olympics‘Pressure is a privilege,’ says Novak Djokovic as he explains why the noise ‘won’t wear me down’
“Without pressure there is no professional sport,” says Novak Djokovic.
-
OlympicsFabio Fognini apologies for shouting homophobic slur during Olympics defeat, says ‘heat went to my head’
“I apologise for the nonsense that came out of me,” wrote Fabio Fognini.
-
Kevin PalmerAndy Murray’s emotional message as his Olympic dream dies – now what happens next?
“I feel crushed after today’s loss. Sport can be brutal,” wrote Andy Murray.
-
OlympicsPaula Badosa leaves court in a wheelchair while Elena Svitolina headlines Olympic semi-final line-up
Final four confirmed for the Tokyo Games.
-
OlympicsOlympic medallist insists Novak Djokovic is not under pressure to win gold at Tokyo Games
Novak Djokovic should not put pressure on himself to win at Tokyo Games.
-
ATP TourUnderarm serves and tweeners as Nick Kyrgios returns with a bang as he wins Atlanta opener
An entertaining return to action from Nick Kyrgios.
-
Olympics‘I don’t know if I’ll get the opportunity to play again’ at Olympics, admits Andy Murray after defeat
Andy Murray and Joe Salisbury’s Olympic campaign over.
-
Olympics‘If I die will the ITF take responsibility?’ asks Daniil Medvedev as heat takes its toll at Olympics
“I was ready to just fall down on the court,” says Medvedev.