Sabalenka edges Rogers to reach Cincinnati Masters quarterfinal

Belarus’ world number 7 Aryna Sabalenka outlasted world number 30 Shelby Rogers of the United States, 6-4, 6-7(2-7), 6-4 in a 2-hour and 35-minute showdown to move into the Cincinnati Masters quarterfinal, BelTA has learned.

The Belarusian will next play world number 44 Zhang Shuai of China.

Aryna Sabalenka progressed into the Cincinnati Masters second round defeating Russia’s world number 69 Anna Kalinskaya 6-3, 4-1 because of the opponent’s walkover.

In the doubles quarterfinal Belarus’ Victoria Azarenka and Ons Jabeur of Tunisia lost to the Australian-U.S. tandem Ellen Perez and Nicole Melichar-Martinez, 4-6, 6-7 (2-7). In another quarterfinal Belarusian Aliaksandra Sasnovich and Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova lost to the U.S.-Dutch duo Desirae Krawczyk and Demi Schuurs, 1-6, 3-6.

The tournament in Cincinnati will be over on 21 August.