Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Aryana Sabalenka Squeezes Past Sofia Kenin to Storm into Rome Masters Last 16

With this win, Sabalenka extended head-to-head record to 4-1 over Kenin on the WTA Tour.

Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the last 16 of Rome Masters 2025 after a thrilling victory against Sofia Kenin on Sunday. The world No. 1 fought back from a set down to beat the former Australian Open winner 3-6, 6-3, 6-3. Sabalenka has claimed a 33rd WTA match win of 2025, most of any player.

Chasing her first Italian Open title and third 1000 series crown of the season, the Belarusian had a tough assignment against Kenin, who won the opening set 6-3. Sabalenka came back and won remaining two sets in a dominant way to close the game. This match lasted 2 hours and 13 minutes.

20th WTA 1000 win of 2025 and counting…🔥

Sabalenka defeats Kenin and is into the next round#IBI25 | @WTA pic.twitter.com/TmFzrqtC0V
— Internazionali BNL d'Italia (@InteBNLdItalia) May 11, 2025

Also Read: Day of Upsets at the 2025 Italian Open as Iga Swiatek, Taylor Fritz and Madison Keys Bow Out

Sabalenka Pulls Off a Comeback Win after Going One-Set Down

Aryana Sabalenka proved why the Belarusian has reached the final of her last four tournaments. She was one set down in the round-of-32 and the pressure was mounting on her. Kenin, the No. 31-seeded American, committed nine double faults with the Belarusian committing four. Sabalenka doled out 5 aces and didn’t allow the American ace to control the game.

Sabalenka converted 6/23 break points in her round-of-32 tie at the Foro Italico and it was the second instance for the world No. 1 when she generated 20+ break-point opportunities. With this win, Sabalenka extended head-to-head record to 4-1 over Kenin on the WTA Tour. Sabalenka had a 58% win on the first serve and a 61% win on the 2nd.

An upset in the works? 👀@SofiaKenin takes the first set over Sabalenka 6-3. #IBI25 pic.twitter.com/cGKSFZxZrp
— wta (@WTA) May 11, 2025

Aryana Sabalenka, the world No. 1, won her 8th consecutive game and will take on Marta Kostyuk, who overcame Leylah Fernandez 6-4, 6-2 in round-of-32. The Belarusian can chase her third 1000 series title of the season as her biggest rival, Iga Swiatek suffered a defeat against Danielle Collins on Saturday.

Also Read: Day of Upsets at the 2025 Italian Open as Iga Swiatek, Taylor Fritz and Madison Keys Bow Out

“I was going really tough on myself,” Sabalenka said in her on-court interview. “It was a tough match — she played incredible tennis in the first set. It was a great fight and super happy to get this match.”

Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Aryana Sabalenka

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A native of Jaipur, Rajasthan, journalist, and a complete soccer and basketball fan, he found the huge interest with basketball by watching videos of Allen Iverson and Tony Parker, but fell head over heels in love with the sport during the Warriors’ championship era (2015-2018). A sports game addict since his late PS1, he’s also passionate about the Eagles, Inter Miami and the Fever. He’s fortunate to have seen all his favorite teams win championships. He also has a special love for cricket and football (soccer), where he is a fan of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Barcelona.