World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus blazed past former doubles partner Elise Mertens in a gripping Wimbledon showdown Sunday, securing her spot in the quarterfinals with a 6-4, 7-6(4) victory. The match was a rollercoaster of power serves and lightning-fast rallies, proving why Sabalenka’s the last top-six seed standing! 💪
Sabalenka, a three-time Grand Slam singles champ, faced a fierce challenge from Mertens despite their decade-long friendship off the court. The duo once dominated doubles together, winning the 2019 US Open and 2021 Australian Open. But on Centre Court, it was all business. 🎯
After a shaky mid-set slump in the opener, Sabalenka unleashed her signature aggression, firing 30 winners to Mertens’ 14. The second-set tiebreak had fans on edge 🤯, but Sabalenka’s clutch volley sealed the deal. “It’s like facing your sister,” Sabalenka joked post-match. “But I came to win.”
Next up: Germany’s Laura Siegemund on Tuesday. Can Sabalenka finally conquer Wimbledon? Stay tuned! 🌱 #GrassCourtQueen
