INDIAN WELLS, CA, USA - No.9 seed Aryna Sabalenka book a spot in the round of 16 at the BNP Paribas Open on Monday by virtue of a 6-2, 7-5 victory over No.24 seed Lesia Tsurenko.
Having been defeated by the Ukranian No.2 in the only career meeting - a quarterfinal match at the Hobart International last year in which she won just two games - the World No.9 was on song for much of the one hour and 23-minute victory.
"I remember that she beat me 6-1, 6-1, so I was very focused today," Sabalenka said on-court after the match.
"She's a great player and it was a tough match today."
The 20-year-old raced through the first four games of the match in just over 15 minutes, and opened up a 6-2, 4-1 lead before the Ukranian veteran fought back late in the second set.
"In the beginning, it was quite an easy match, but then she started the play much better," Sabalenka added. "I stayed in the rally and it made her a little bit uncomfortable.
"In the second set, she started to play much better. She started to fight, put all the balls in and play consistent, and I was in trouble. I'm happy that I finished this match with a win."
Tsurenko won three straight games from 5-2 down in the second set, but Sabalenka restored order with a love hold and broke the No.24 seed's serve for a sixth time in the match to seal the win.
The Belarusian, who struck 24 winners to Tsurenko's seven in the win, will next face No.8 seed Angelique Kerber, who rallied from a set down to defeat Russian qualifier Natalia Vikhlyantseva in the third round.
"I never played against her, and I will talk about this with [coach] Dimitry [Tursunov] tonight," the Belarusian said.
"She's another great player, and for sure, it won't be an easy match, but I'm just waiting for it. We'll see. I like to play against everyone...and it doesn't matter against who."
