Aryna Sabalenka booked her place in the quarterfinals of the Madrid Open after earning a comeback victory over Naomi Osaka.
In their second meeting of the season, and third overall, Sabalenka was forced to fight back from a set down to beat Osaka, 6-7, 6-3, 6-2.
The Belarusian had dominated the Japanese star in their previous clash at the 2026 Indian Wells Open, winning comfortably in straight sets.
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This time around, however, Osaka made it more of a contest and almost walked away with what would have been her biggest win in years.
Following her victory, the world number one had high praise for the four-time Grand Slam champion.
Aryna Sabalenka reacts after beating Naomi Osaka in Madrid
Speaking to Sky Sports, Sabalenka said of Osaka: “She has definitely improved since the last match we played.
“She was serving really well, playing really aggressively. I was on my back foot all the time.
“I was trying to stay in the match and fight for every opportunity. I am super happy I did not give up and I pushed myself to another level and got the win.”
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Asked how she keeps up consistency and intensity, Sabalenka replied: “We focus a lot on my fitness and I think I have improved a lot in that part of the game.
“That is why even when I start slow I am willing to find that intensity to bring on court. I just have a really crazy love for this sport and I want people to enjoy watching me play and to bring the best tennis.”
Naomi Osaka’s results on the WTA Tour so far this season
Osaka has appeared at just four events so far this season, the first of which was the United Cup in January.
Representing Japan there, she picked up one win and one loss, before entering the Australian Open.
In Melbourne, Osaka beat Antonia Ruzic and Sorana Cirstea to advance to the third round, where she ultimately fell to Australian qualifier Maddison Inglis.
Osaka made the fourth round of the Indian Wells Open, but then suffered an opening-round exit in Miami.
She earned two wins at the Madrid Open before losing to Sabalenka.
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