Aryna Sabalenka avoids shock loss versus world No. 183 in tight 3R battle

Aryna Sabalenka survived a scare within the Madrid third spherical because the second-seeded Belarusian discovered herself in a good battle versus Robin Montgomery earlier than sealing a 6-1 6-7 (5) 6-4 win over the American ranked at No. 183 on this planet.

Though Sabalenka hasn’t been taking part in nicely for the reason that Australian Open, she nonetheless entered the Montgomery match as the massive favourite. When the match began, Sabalenka was dominating Montgomery and it appeared just like the Belarusian would seal a fairly convincing win. However then, Sabalenka misplaced the second set and was in a good third-set battle earlier than sealing a win in two and a half hours of play.

Now, Sabalenka is about for a tricky round-of-16 take a look at as she performs subsequent towards latest Miami champion and No. 13 seed Danielle Collins. 

How Sabalenka beat Montgomery to arrange a Collins match?

Firstly of the match, Sabalenka saved two break factors within the opening recreation earlier than breaking Montgomery within the second recreation. Up by a break, Sabalenka broke Montgomery once more within the sixth recreation for a 5-1 lead earlier than serving out for the opener within the following recreation.

After simply dropping the primary set, Montgomery drastically improved within the second set and he or she saved the lone break factors of the set within the seventh recreation – when she saved two break factors. As no breaks have been seen, the second set needed to be resolved in a tie-break, the place Montgomery opened a 6-3 lead earlier than realizing her third set level to ship the match right into a decider.

When the third set began, Sabalenka bounced again by breaking Montgomery for an early 2-0 lead. However then, Sabalenka acquired immediately damaged again within the third recreation. 

Within the subsequent six video games, not a single break level was seen. Then within the tenth recreation – when Montgomery was serving to remain within the match – Sabalenka broke the American after realizing her first match level to finish a three-set win and keep away from a shock loss.