Aryna Sabalenka defeats Madison Keys at China Open

BEIJING –

Second-ranked Aryna Sabalenka equaled her career-best 15 straight wins after beating Madison Keys 6-4, 6-3 to advance to the quarterfinals of the China Open on Wednesday.

The three-time Grand Slam winner started her streak with a title in Cincinnati in August and continued with a run to the championship at the US Open last month. Earlier this year she also won the Australian Open. Her previous streak of 15 was achieved in the 2020-2021 seasons.

“If you can sacrifice a lot and work hard and get these victories, it’s the best feeling,” Sabalenka said. “You’re just living your best life. You’re excited to play your matches. You’re excited to take on the fight that awaits you.”

The Belarusian has won 30 of 31 sets played during her current streak, dropping just one set to Ekaterina Alexandrova in the third round of the US Open.

That form guide quickly came to fruition on Wednesday when Sabalenka broke the No. 24-ranked Keys in the third game of the first set and then dominated on serve for an efficient 65-minute performance, raising her head-to-head record against the American to 4-1.

The 26-year-old Belarusian lost just five points on her first serve of the match and managed to save both break points against her despite Keys hitting 22 winners against 10 unforced errors.

Sabalenka will play Karolina Muchova in the quarter-finals after the Czech defeated Cristina Bucsa 6-2, 6-0.

Paris Olympics gold medalist Zheng Qinwen played a night match against Amanda Anisimova

Later Wednesday, top Jannik Sinner will play against rival Carlos Alcaraz in the men’s final.

Sinner and Alcaraz are jointly responsible for all four Grand Slam titles this year. Alcaraz leads the head-to-head series 5-4 – including victories at both meetings this year in the semi-finals at Indian Wells and the French Open.

The 23-year-old Italian did not appear distracted by the World Anti-Doping Agency announcing on Saturday that it was seeking a one- to two-year ban for the US Open champion, who tested positive twice for an anabolic steroid in March.

Shanghai Masters

French veteran Gael Monfils advanced to the second round of the Shanghai Masters with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Damir Dzumhur.

The 38-year-old Monfils will next play against 22nd seeded Argentinian Sebastian Baez.

Arthur Rinderknech also advanced with a 6-4, 7-6 (5) victory over American Reilly Opelka, while Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands defeated Pablo Carreño Busta 7-6 (5), 6-2.

Alexandre Muller also rallied from a set down to 4-6, 6-1, 6-1 over Italian Luca Nardi.