Sabalenka overcomes Osaka in gripping battle to reach Madrid Open quarter-finals

World No 1 under pressure before 6-7 (1), 6-3, 6-2 victoryWinner will face Hailey Baptiste in next roundAryna Sabalenka, the world No 1, overcame Naomi Osaka 6-7 (1), 6-3, 6-2 in a gripping battle on Monday to reach the Madrid Open quarter-finals. Sabalenka, who has claimed titles at Miami, Indian Wells and Brisbane this year, was tested by her Japanese opponent in the fourth-round match, but came back from a set down and a break down.“I was just trying to take one ball at a time and my team was there for me. They really [pushed] me to keep fighting and I’m really happy I didn’t give up and I was pushing until the very last point,” said Sabalenka. Continue reading...