Aryna Sabalenka became just the third active WTA player to defeat the same opponent 10 times, after overcoming Elise Mertens at the 2025 Madrid Open.
The world No 1 battled past Mertens, ranked 26th, with a 3-6, 6-2, 6-1 victory in their third-round clash at the WTA 1000 event on clay. Despite dropping the first set — her first lost set against Mertens in 15 — Sabalenka quickly regained control, breaking the Belgian three times in both the second and third sets.
After struggling with her serve early, Sabalenka explained her turnaround in her on-court interview:
“I was trying to find the rhythm on my serve. Once I focused on timing, stopped rushing, and avoided overhitting, everything clicked.”
Sabalenka’s victory improved her head-to-head record against her former doubles partner to 10-2. Impressively, she has now won nine straight matches against Mertens, having lost two of their first three meetings back in 2018.
Only two other active WTA players have achieved 10 wins over a single opponent:
- Iga Swiatek (11-3 vs. Coco Gauff)
- Madison Keys (10-2 vs. Daria Kasatkina)
Additionally, Sabalenka now leads the tour in comeback victories at WTA 1000 events since the start of 2024, securing eight wins from a set down — surpassing Mirra Andreeva, who has seven.
What’s next for Sabalenka?
The 26-year-old will face either world No 153 Rebeka Masarova or 44th-ranked Peyton Stearns in the fourth round. Sabalenka is chasing her third Madrid Open title, having previously triumphed in 2021 and 2023. She was a runner-up in 2024, falling to Iga Swiatek in a thrilling final.
The three-time Grand Slam champion is also eyeing her third title of the 2025 season, following earlier wins in Brisbane and Miami. So far this year, she has also finished runner-up at the Australian Open, Indian Wells, and Stuttgart.
