How Aryna Sabalenka reached the QF in Stuttgart 2025 without playing a single match until Saturday

Aryna Sabalenka has advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2025 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart — and remarkably, she hasn’t played a single match yet this week.

The World No. 2, a top seed at the tournament, was granted a first-round bye due to her high ranking. She was scheduled to play her opening match in the second round but advanced via walkover after her opponent withdrew before the match. As a result, Sabalenka will step onto the court for the first time on Saturday — in the quarterfinals.

This unique route has drawn plenty of attention, especially as the Belarusian prepares for a potential showdown against top names like Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff in the business end of the tournament.

Sabalenka, a two-time finalist in Stuttgart, has been a dominant force on tour in 2025. While some question whether a lack of match play may impact her rhythm, others see the added rest as an advantage as she sets her sights on finally capturing the prestigious indoor clay title.

With the weekend action heating up and Sabalenka’s campaign just beginning, fans can expect fireworks as she joins a high-powered field that includes Swiatek, Gauff, and Jessica Pegula.