Aryna Sabalenka is through to the Round of 16 at the Italian Open, following her victory over Sofia Kenin.
The world number one is pursuing her fourth title of the season and is looking to reach her seventh final of 2025 at the Italian Open.
Sabalenka won the Madrid Open and emerged victorious in Brisbane and Miami, having also made the final at the Australian Open, Indian Wells, and the Stuttgart Open.
Now, with Swiatek crashing out of the tournament, the draw in Rome looks favourable for the Belarusian.
The 27-year-old has enjoyed a strong start to the clay season, and has now hit a new career high with her win over Kenin.
Aryna Sabalenka hits career high for seasonal wins before Roland Garros
With her victory over the American, Sabalenka has now clinched her 33rd win of the 2025 WTA season, the most of any player so far this year.
In doing so, the three-time Grand Slam champion has hit a career high in seasonal wins before the French Open, which begins on the 25th of May.
During her third-round triumph, Sabalenka also registered 23 break-point opportunities, marking just the second time in her career she has tallied more than 20 in a single match.
She had 22 in the 2019 Federation Cup semi-final against Samantha Stosur.
Aryna Sabalenka’s Round of 16 opponent at the Italian Open
Sabalenka advances to the Round of 16 at the Italian Open for the second year in a row, where she will come up against Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk.
The two last met in the Madrid Open, where eventual champion Sabalenka came out on top in straight sets 7-6, 7-6.
Kostyuk, the world number 17, has never beaten her fourth-round opponent, with the head-to-head currently 3-0 to Sabalenka.
The 22-year-old has just one singles title in her career, which she claimed at the 2023 ATX Open, defeating Varvara Gracheva in the final.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
