Aryna Sabalenka held off Marta Kostyuk 6-1 7-6 (10-8) on Central Court in 2 hours and 5 minutes at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia at the Foro Italico in Rome. Sabalenka beat Kostyuk for the second time in the past two weeks after claiming a 7-6 7-6 win over her Ukrainian opponent at the Madrid Mutua Open.
Sabalenka came back from 3-5 down before edging past Kostyuk 10-8 in the tie-break of the second set.
Sabalenka saved the first 12 points she faced before Kostyuk converted her 13th chance in the eighth game of the second set to take a 5-3 lead. Sabalenka broke straight back at love to reduce the deficit for 4-5.
Kostyuk earned a set point at 7-6 in the tie-break, but Sabalenka saved it with a forehand winner. Sabalenka earned her third match point at 9-8 and closed out the match with a drop shot winner.
Sabalenka has reached six finals this year in Brisbane, Australian Open, Indian Wells, Miami, Stuttgart and Madrid. She won back-to back WTA 1000 titles in Miami and Madrid and her last 16 matches at WTA 1000 tournaments.
