World number two Aryna Sabalenka fought from a set down to beat Ukrainian 16th seed and two-time champion Elina Svitolina in their Italian Open last 16 encounter on Monday (May 13).
The Belarussian saved three match points and came from 2-0 down in the decider to win 4-6 6-1 7-6(7) in Rome.
Sabalenka will next meet Latvian tenth seed Jelena Ostapenko for a place in the semi-finals.
In the men’s single, defending champion Daniil Medvedev battled past Serbian wild card Hamad Medjedovic on Monday (May 13) to advance to the Italian Open last 16.
The Russian second seed overcame a second set blip to win 7-6(5) 2-6 7-5 and set up a clash with American Tommy Paul, who beat Germany’s Dominik Koepfer 6-4 6-3.
Danish 10th seed Holger Rune was ousted 2-6 6-2 6-3 by 17th seed Sebastian Baez of Argentina, Pole Hubert Hurkacz, seeded seventh, saw off Argentine Tomas Martin Etcheverry 7-6(7) 6-2, while Chile’s Nicolas Jarry defeated local wild card Stefano Napolitano 6-2 4-6 6-4.
(Reuters)
