Sabalenka storms into Wimbledon quarterfinals
Sabalenka's victory marked the 10th consecutive time she has beaten Mertens, a streak reminiscent of Vitas Gerulaitis' famous quip: "Nobody beats Vitas Gerulaitis 17 times in a row."
This time, it was Sabalenka who had the last word, once again overcoming Mertens with her signature screaming forehands and court dominance.
The match carried a hint of irony, and pain, for Mertens. The two once lifted two Grand Slam doubles titles together, but in singles, the Belarusian has now firmly asserted her superiority.
Sabalenka's heavy-hitting baseline game was bolstered by a nuanced understanding of her opponent's tactics, developed over years of partnership. She recovered from 1-3 down in the second set, showcasing not just raw power but also a tactical edge that proved decisive in the tiebreak.
Following match point, the pair shared a warm embrace at the net, a reminder of their shared history despite the growing gulf in singles results.
With this win, Sabalenka moves one step closer to her first Wimbledon title.
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