Aryna Sabalenka put a career loss streak against Dayana Yazstremska to bed as she handed the No. 33 a 6-4, 6-2 defeat to move into the Rome Masters fourth round on Sunday.
The second seed stood 0-3 in the series and last played the Ukrainian four years ago.
Sabalenka, winner of the last two Australian Open titles, claimed the opening set in 40 minutes and put herself in command in a marathon third game of the second set.
Yastremska saved six break points in a struggle which produced eight deuces; Sabalenka finally came through for the 2-1 lead as her opponent double-faulted.
From then it was a matter of minutes as the seed ran out the winner, five games later.
“Our last matches were a long time ago when I was kind of, like, on and off,” Sabalenka of the series with Yastremska which began in 2016.
“I was just trying to find my way. I was going quite confident into this match knowing that I have everything to get the win.
“I’m super happy to finally get the win against her.”
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