MADRID: World number one Aryna Sabalenka overcame Naomi Osaka 6-7 (1/7), 6-3, 6-2 in a gripping battle to reach the Madrid Open quarter-finals on Monday.

Third seed Coco Gauff was eliminated in a three-set battle with Linda Noskova decided on a final set tie-break.

Sabalenka, who has claimed titles at Miami, Indian Wells and Brisbane this year, was tested by her Japanese opponent in the fourth-round clash but came back from a set and a break down to triumph. The first set between the two four-time Grand Slam winners was tight, with only one break point forced, by Sabalenka, which Osaka saved to hold for 2-1.

Osaka dominated in the tie-break, ripping into a 5-0 lead and then triumphing when Sabalenka lashed a return wide.

Sabalenka stepped up a gear in the second frame, although world number 15 Osaka dug deep to survive three break points and then managed to engineer a break for herself to take a 2-1 lead.

However, the Belarusian immediately broke to love and then again in the eighth game, serving out to take the second set. Sabalenka dominated in the third set, securing breaks in the fifth and seventh games.

Sabalenka sealed her victory serving to love with an ace to reach the last eight, where she will face American Hailey Baptiste, who beat Belinda Bencic in three sets, including losing a tie break 16-14 in the second.

World number three Gauff of the US fell to a 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (7/5) loss by Noskova of the Czech Republic.

In the men’s third round, Daniil Medvedev beat Nicolai Budkov Kjaer 6-3, 6-2. Casper Ruud eased to a 6-3, 6-1 win over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina to reach the last 16, while Stefanos Tsitsipas defeated Daniel Merida 6-4, 6-2.

Published in Dawn, April 28th, 2026