Aryna Sabalenka`s wait is over as she played and won her first match at the 2025 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart.
Stuttgart: Draws | Scores | Order of play
After reaching the quarterfinals without playing a match, World No. 1 Sabalenka defeated her former doubles partner Elise Mertens 6-4, 6-1 in their quarterfinal match on Saturday night in Stuttgart.
`Finally I played my match,` Sabalenka said after her victory. `It`s unusual for me to play my first match on Saturday. I`m happy with the variety in my game today. I think it was a very decent match.`
Sabalenka`s semifinal opponent will be No. 5 seed Jasmine Paolini, who defeated No. 4 seed Coco Gauff 6-4, 6-3 in Saturday’s quarterfinal. Sabalenka holds a 4-2 lead in her head-to-head record against Paolini.
Patience Pays Off for Sabalenka: Following a first-round bye, Sabalenka didn`t play in the second round due to Anastasia Potapova`s withdrawal due to injury. Therefore, Saturday evening`s quarterfinal was her first match this week.
World No. 29 Mertens tested Sabalenka`s form in the first set. The Belgian was one point away from leading 5-4 and serving for the set.
However, Sabalenka managed to hold serve and take a 5-4 lead. From that point, the top seed became dominant, starting with a service break to secure the first set.
In total, Sabalenka broke Mertens` serve in three of her last four service games. Sabalenka also performed strongly on her own serve, winning her last two service games to love.
`I had a week to practice on these courts, so I felt quite comfortable,` Sabalenka mentioned. `Having played here many times, I know the courts and feel good on this surface. It was about playing my first match on clay, adjusting to the game, and not rushing.`
Sabalenka`s record against Mertens is now 9-2 in singles. They have a history as doubles partners, winning titles at the 2019 US Open and 2021 Australian Open.
Sabalenka aims to reach her fourth Stuttgart final in five years. She was a runner-up in 2021, 2022, and 2023 but is yet to win the title.
Paolini Defeats Gauff for the First Time: In the final quarterfinal of the day, Italy`s Paolini needed 1 hour and 28 minutes to achieve her first victory over American Gauff in their three career matches.
Gauff began strongly, breaking serve in the opening game with powerful returns. However, Paolini effectively utilized the court`s width as the match progressed, breaking back to level at 4-4.
Serving at 4-5 down, Gauff had a game that contrasted sharply with her first. She committed two double faults, giving Paolini triple set point, and then lost serve to love after a backhand error.
Paolini proved difficult to overcome on Saturday. She hit 20 winners, eight more than Gauff, and was almost perfect at the net, securing her first Top 10 win of the year.
`I believe I played aggressively and consistently, with few errors,` Paolini said afterward. `I think I played a great match overall.`
`Stepping onto the court and hitting the ball hard is what I enjoy about tennis. I like to hit the ball with power. It brings me joy.`
Rupert Caldwell