Press releases

7 May 2021

Sabalenka slides past Pavlyuchenkova to reach Madrid final

Aryna Sabalenka. Photo courtesy of Xinhua-BelTA

MINSK, 7 May (BelTA) – Belarus’ world number 7 Aryna Sabalenka moved into the Mutua Madrid Open final beating Russia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (World No.41) 6-2, 6-3, BelTA has learned.

Aryna Sabalenka needed an hour and five minutes to defeat the Russian. The Belarusian will face World No.1 Ashleigh Barty of Australia in a rematch of the Stuttgart final from two weeks ago.

On her way to the final Aryna Sabalenka cruised past Russia’s world number 114 Vera Zvonareva 6-1, 6-2, defeated Russia’s world number 37 Daria Kasatkina 6-3, 6-3, powered past Jessica Pegula of the United States (No.33) 6-1, 6-2 and proved stronger over her doubles partner Elise Mertens of Belgium in the quarterfinal.

Belarus’ Aliaksandra Sasnovich (World No. 92) reached the quarterfinal of the L’Open 35 de Saint-Malo in France, defeating Slovenian Tamara Zidansek (80) 7-6 (7-3), 6-3. Aliaksandra Sasnovich will face Swiss Viktorija Golubic (84) in the quarterfinal.