Madrid Open: Sabalenka recovers to reach semi-finals

Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka, the second seed, beat Egyptian Mayar Sherif 2-6, 6-2, 6-1 to advance to the last 4 of the Madrid Open at the Caja Magica on Tuesday afternoon.

Sabalenka, ranked No 2, will face the winner of the match between Greek Maria Sakkari, the No 9 seed, and Romanian Irina-Camelia Begu, the No 31 seed, next.

Ahead of her victory, the Belarusian won against Romanian Sorana Cirstea (6-4, 6-3), Colombian wildcard Camila Osorio (6-4, 7-5) and Russian wildcard Mirra Andreeva (6-3, 6-1).

Sherif, ranked No 59, won against Italian Camila Giorgi (4-6, 6-4 ret.), Ukrainian Anhelina Kalinina, the No 30 seed (6-2, 7-6 (3)), Frenchwoman Caroline Garcia, the No 5 seed (7-6 (2), 6-3) and Belgian Elise Mertens, the No 24 seed (6-4, 0-6, 6-4) in the previous rounds of the Madrid tournament.

Madrid WTA 1000, other last eight results (Caja Magica, clay, USD 7.652.174, most recent results first):

• Iga Swiatek vs. Petra Martic
• Jessica Pegula vs. Veronika Kudermetova
• Maria Sakkari vs. Irina-Camelia Begu