Aryna Sabalenka`s wait to play at the 2025 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix concluded with a victory as she secured a place in the semifinals.
After advancing to the quarterfinals without playing a single match, the top-ranked Sabalenka defeated her former doubles partner, Elise Mertens, with a score of 6-4, 6-1 in their quarterfinal match in Stuttgart on Saturday night.
Having received a bye in the first round and a walkover in the second round due to Anastasia Potapova`s withdrawal, this quarterfinal was Sabalenka`s first match of the week.
World No. 29 Mertens challenged Sabalenka in the first set, breaking serve to lead 4-3 and coming close to taking a 5-4 lead to serve for the set.
However, Sabalenka rallied to take the 5-4 lead and then dominated the match, starting with a service break to win the first set.
In total, Sabalenka broke Mertens` serve in three of the Belgian`s final four service games, while also elevating her own service performance.
Sabalenka won her last two service games to love, achieving victory over Mertens, with whom she has a history of Grand Slam doubles titles, including the 2019 US Open and 2021 Australian Open.
In the upcoming semifinal, Sabalenka will face the winner of the quarterfinal match between No. 4 seed Coco Gauff and No. 5 seed Jasmine Paolini. Sabalenka holds a 4-2 advantage against Paolini and a 4-5 record against Gauff.
Sabalenka aims to reach her fourth Stuttgart final in five years, having been a runner-up in 2021, 2022, and 2023, but is still seeking her first title at this event.
Stay tuned for more updates.
