In-form Paula Badosa was made to fight for her third round victory over Ukrainian teenager Marta Kostyuk on Friday, eventually winning through 6-2, 5-7, 6-4.
In an arm wrestle that lasted two hours and 19 minutes, Badosa was a comfortable first set winner, before Kostyuk found her range and accuracy to take the second.
But when it mattered the Ukrainian lost her way, converting only five of 15 break points as Badosa stayed the course to take the match.
“Marta’s an insane player and I think she was playing top five level today,” the No. 8 seed said of Kostyuk.
“She’ll soon for sure be one of the best players in the world. I gave it all today, I had to because she was playing so good.”
She will next face American Madison Keys or China’s Wang Qiang for a place in the quarter-finals.
Doping sanction victim Simona Halep has gone online to protest her own treatment by anti-doping…
Rafael Nadal lined up for what was to be the final match of his career…
Jannik Sinner took charge in front of his home crowd on Sunday, crushing ATP Finals…
Daniil Medvedev went into meltdown mode on Sunday during a highly charged 6-4, 6-3 loss, with opponent…
Jannik Sinner could well be missing from the opening European clay event of next season…
Rafael Nadal will bring down the curtain on his career next month as he plays his…