Aryna Sabalenka`s wait to play at the 2025 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix is finally over, and she marked her debut with a victory.
Stuttgart: Draws | Scores | Order of play
After progressing to the quarterfinals without playing a match, World No. 1 Sabalenka defeated her former doubles partner Elise Mertens 6-4, 6-1 in their quarterfinal match in Stuttgart on Saturday night.
`Finally I played my match,` Sabalenka said after her win. `It`s unusual for me to play my first match on Saturday. I`m happy with the variety in my game today. I think it was a very solid performance.`
Sabalenka`s opponent in the semifinal will be No. 5 seed Jasmine Paolini, who defeated No. 4 seed Coco Gauff 6-4, 6-3 in Saturday`s evening quarterfinal. Sabalenka holds a 4-2 lead in her head-to-head record against Paolini.
Patience Pays Off for Sabalenka: Following a first-round bye, Sabalenka received a walkover in the second round due to Anastasia Potapova`s injury withdrawal. As a result, Saturday evening`s quarterfinal was her first match this week.
World No. 29 Mertens certainly challenged Sabalenka in the first set. The Belgian was just a point away from leading 5-4 and serving for the set.
However, Sabalenka managed to hold serve and take a 5-4 lead. From that point onward, the top seed became virtually unstoppable, starting with a service break to secure the first set.
Overall, Sabalenka broke Mertens` serve in three of her last four service games. Sabalenka also performed strongly on her own serve, winning her final two service games to love.
`I had a week to practice on these courts, so I felt quite comfortable,` Sabalenka stated. `Having played here many times, I`m familiar with the courts and feel good on this surface. It was about playing my first match on clay, adjusting to the game, and not rushing.`
Sabalenka`s record against Mertens in singles now stands at 9-2. They have a notable history as doubles partners, winning titles at the 2019 US Open and 2021 Australian Open.
Sabalenka is aiming for her fourth Stuttgart final appearance in five years. She was a runner-up in 2021, 2022, and 2023 but is yet to claim the title.
Paolini Achieves First Victory Over Gauff: In the final quarterfinal of the day, Italy`s Jasmine Paolini needed 1 hour and 28 minutes to secure her first win against American Coco Gauff in their third career match.
Gauff started strong, breaking serve at love in the opening game with her powerful returns. However, Paolini effectively utilized the court`s width as the match progressed, breaking back to level the score at 4-4.
Serving at 4-5 down, Gauff had a game that contrasted sharply with her first. She committed two consecutive double faults, giving Paolini triple set point. Gauff then lost her serve at love after a backhand error.
Paolini`s strong performance on Saturday made her a difficult opponent. She hit 20 winners, eight more than Gauff, and was almost perfect at the net, securing her first Top 10 victory of the year.
`I think I played aggressively and consistently, without many errors,` Paolini said afterwards. `I believe I played a great match overall.`
`When I step onto the court, hitting the ball with power is what I enjoy about tennis. I like to hit the ball hard, and that brings me joy.`
Jasper Hawthorne 
Dominic Ashworth