Aryna Sabalenka file image.© AFP
Aryna Sabalenka crossed Anastasia Potapova and in the third round of the Italian Open with a 6-2, 6-2 victory on Friday. The finalist defeated last year and the current world number one, Sabalenka swept the Russian potapova in just over an hour at the Foro Italico. Sabalenka will play Sofia Kenin the next round after the Americans beat another Russian at Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in two sets, 6-3, 6-0. Sabalenka, 27, has reached the final of his last four tournaments, with 1000 serial victories in Miami and Madrid.
In the male tournament, Carlos Alcaraz launches his offer for a first title of Rome when the third seeded will face the Serbian qualifier Dusan Lajovic in the central court.
The winner of last year, Alexander Zverev, is also in action, against the Camilo Ugo Carabelli of Argentina.
(This story has not been published by NDTV staff and is automatically generated from a unionized flow.)
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