World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka booked her place in the fourth round of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia after overcoming a tough challenge from former Grand Slam champion Sofia Kenin in the third round on Sunday. The Belarusian rallied from a set down to secure a 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory in a match that showcased her resilience and determination to stay alive in the Rome tournament.
A Slow Start and a Strong Response
Sabalenka started the match on the back foot, as Kenin came out firing, taking the opening set 6-3. The American’s controlled aggression and tactical baseline play left Sabalenka on the defensive early on. Kenin, who has been working her way back into form after a dip in the rankings, looked confident and comfortable on the clay—a surface that traditionally isn’t her strongest.
However, Sabalenka is not one to fold easily. The 2024 finalist in Rome shifted gears in the second set, showing why she’s one of the most feared players on the WTA Tour. With a sharper serve and more measured aggression, she managed to turn the tide. After leveling the match by taking the second set 6-3, Sabalenka maintained her momentum into the decider.
The final set saw both players exchange powerful baseline rallies, but it was Sabalenka who consistently came up with the bigger shots in the crucial moments. Breaking Kenin’s serve at key junctures, Sabalenka held her nerve and closed out the match to book her spot in the next round.
Familiar Foe, Familiar Result
This victory marks Sabalenka’s fourth win in five meetings against Kenin, extending her dominance in their head-to-head record to 4-1. While Kenin started strong and looked poised to pull off an upset, Sabalenka’s big-match experience and ability to recover under pressure proved decisive once again.
Financial Gains and Tournament Progress
Along with her advancement to the next round, Sabalenka also bolstered her earnings at the tournament. She earned an additional €27,797 for her third-round victory, bringing her total winnings so far in Rome to €66,110. Should she continue her winning streak and take her next match, she stands to earn an additional €58,590, which would bring her total prize money at the event to €124,700.
Eyeing the Title
Sabalenka came close to lifting the trophy in Rome last year, finishing as runner-up in 2024. This season, she has once again positioned herself as a strong contender for the title. Her ability to recover from a slow start and adapt her game under pressure bodes well for the rest of her campaign at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia.
As the clay season intensifies and Roland Garros looms on the horizon, Sabalenka is looking to build momentum—and if her performance against Kenin is any indication, she’s well on her way.