Masarova fails in the round of 16 against Sabalenka

The match was interrupted on Wednesday evening after the first set because Masarova had complained that the grass was slippery. Sabalenka had no sympathy at all for the decision. The following day, the player from Basel put up stronger resistance and defended a break lead until the score was 4:3. She fended off three match points in the tie-break before having to concede defeat in two sets after 108 minutes.

Nevertheless, Masarova can consider the tournament a success. The 25-year-old, who has been playing for Switzerland again this year after seven years under the Spanish flag, defeated Maria Sakkari (WTA 86) in qualifying and Sofia Kenin (WTA 29) in two sets in the first round. Both the Greek and the American were once among the top ten. Thanks to reaching the round of 16, Masarova has returned to the top 100 in the rankings. In December, she was number 62 in the world.