Aryna Sabalenka`s wait to compete at the 2025 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix is finally over, and she marked her debut with a victory.
After progressing to the quarterfinals without playing a single point, the top-ranked Sabalenka defeated her former doubles partner, Elise Mertens, with a score of 6-4, 6-1 in their quarterfinal match held on Saturday evening in Stuttgart.
Patience Pays Off: Following a first-round bye, Sabalenka received a walkover in the second round due to Anastasia Potapova`s withdrawal because of injury. Consequently, her quarterfinal match on Saturday evening was her first appearance in the tournament this week.
World No. 29 Mertens provided a challenge to Sabalenka`s form in the opening set. The Belgian player gained an advantage with a break to lead 4-3 and was close to taking a 5-4 lead while serving for the first set.
However, Sabalenka managed to hold serve, taking the lead at 5-4. From that point onward, the top seed demonstrated dominant play, starting with a service break to secure the first set.
In total, Sabalenka broke Mertens` serve in three of her last four service games. Simultaneously, the World No. 1 elevated her own serving performance.
Sabalenka confidently won her final two service games to love, securing a victory against a player with whom she has achieved Grand Slam doubles titles. Sabalenka and Mertens have won doubles championships at the 2019 US Open and the 2021 Australian Open.
Coming Up Next: The quarterfinal match later on Saturday between No. 4 seed Coco Gauff and No. 5 seed Jasmine Paolini will determine Sabalenka`s opponent in the semifinal. Sabalenka`s head-to-head record is 4-2 against Paolini and 4-5 against Gauff.
Sabalenka is aiming to reach her fourth Stuttgart final within the last five years. She was the runner-up in 2021, 2022, and 2023 but is still seeking her first title at this event.
More updates to follow…
Jasper Hawthorne 
Dominic Ashworth