By Shrivathsa Sridhar LONDON (Reuters) -Aryna Sabalenka maintained her stranglehold over Belgian Elise Mertens with a hard-fought 6-4 7-6(4) victory on Sunday to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals as she bids for a maiden title at the grasscourt Grand Slam.

No. 1 women's seed Aryna Sabalenka has advanced to the Wimbledon quarterfinals after defeating No. 24 Elise Mertens in straight sets 6-4, 7-6. Sabalenka has not yet lost a set in her 2025 Wimbledon run, but she was challenged by Mertens and Emma Radacanu in her past two matches.

Aryna Sabalenka started the match on a high note, breaking Elise Mertens to register a 4-1 lead in the first set. However, Mertens bounced back, breaking Sabalenka’s serve by moving her around the court and disrupting her rhythm. However, Sabalenka broke again to clinch the opening set 6-4.