Madrid Open: Champion Sabalenka fends off impressive Montgomery to reach last 16

Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka, the second seed, fended off a bold challenge from American wildcard Robin Montgomery 6-1, 6-7 (5), 6-4 to reach the last 16 of the Madrid Open at the Caja Magica on Sunday evening.

Sabalenka, ranked No 2, was pushed hard by the 19-year-old left-hander, who stayed with her in the final set but one break secured the win for Sabalenka, who will now play another American, Danielle Collins, the No 13 seed, who is on a 15-match winning streak.

In the previous round of the Madrid tournament, the Belarusian defeated Pole Magda Linette (6-4, 3-6, 6-3).

Montgomery, ranked No 183, won against Russian Elina Avanesyan (6-2, 6-2) and edged out No 26 seed Katie Boulter (1-6, 6-3, 6-4) earlier in the tournament.

Madrid WTA 1000, other third-round results (Caja Magica, clay, USD 8.770.480, most recent results first):

• Danielle Collins beat Jaqueline Cristian (Q): 3-6, 6-4, 6-1
• Jasmine Paolini (12) beat Caroline Garcia (21): 6-3, 6-2
• Mirra Andreeva beat Marketa Vondrousova (7): 7-5, 6-1
• Daria Kasatkina (10) beat Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (20): 7-6 (5), 7-5
• Yulia Putintseva beat Caroline Dolehide: 6-2, 6-2
• Elena Rybakina (4) beat Mayar Sherif: 6-1, 6-4
• Sara Bejlek (Q) beat Ashlyn Krueger: 6-3, 6-1
• Coco Gauff (3) beat Dayana Yastremska (31): 6-4, 6-1
• Beatriz Haddad Maia (11) beat Emma Navarro (19): 6-4, 6-4
• Madison Keys (18) beat Liudmila Samsonova (15): 6-2, 6-3
• Ons Jabeur (8) beat Leylah Fernandez (32): 7-5, 2-6, 6-4
• Jelena Ostapenko (9) beat Maria Lourdes Carle (Q): 6-3, 6-3
• Maria Sakkari (5) beat Sloane Stephens: 6-1, 6-3
• Sara Sorribes Tormo beat Victoria Azarenka (23): 7-6, 6-3
• Iga Swiatek (1) beat Sorana Cirstea (27): 6-1, 6-1