Aryna Sabalenka maintained her impressive form at the China Open, defeating Ashlyn Krueger 6-2, 6-2 on Monday, marking her 14th consecutive victory. The three-time Grand Slam champion began this remarkable streak with a title at Cincinnati in August, followed by a championship win at the U.S. Open earlier this month. Earlier in the year, she also secured the Australian Open title.
In her match against Krueger, the second-ranked Sabalenka effectively converted five of her seven breakpoint opportunities, showcasing her dominance on the court. She will next face Madison Keys, with the goal of matching her career-best winning streak of 15 matches, previously achieved in 2020-21. Keys advanced after defeating Beatrice Haddad Maia 6-3, 6-3. Haddad Maia, who won the Korea Open last week, struggled to counter Keys’ powerful baseline play.
Naomi Osaka, a former world No. 1, also had a successful day, earning a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Katie Volynets. This match marked Osaka’s continued collaboration with new coach Patrick Mouratoglou. She is set to meet sixth-ranked Coco Gauff in the round of 16, in their first encounter in over two years, with their head-to-head record tied at 2-2.
Osaka’s return to competitive tennis after maternity leave has seen her climb to No. 73 in the rankings. She delivered an impressive performance, registering five aces and three service breaks during her match.
In other matches, No. 14-ranked Anna Kalinskaya advanced after Peyton Sterns retired while trailing 3-6, 6-3, 3-1. Kalinskaya will next compete against Yuliia Starodubtseva of Ukraine. Karolina Muchova defeated Jaqueline Cristian 6-1, 6-3 and is set to play the winner of the match between Cristina Bucsa and 24th-seeded Elise Mertens in the fourth round.
In the men’s draw, Andrey Rublev overcame Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-4, 7-5, in a match that resumed from Sunday due to rain delays. The sixth-ranked Rublev now holds a 5-0 career record against Davidovich Fokina and will face local favorite Bu Yunchaokete, ranked No. 96, in the quarterfinals.
