Sabalenka battles past Paolini to reach Stuttgart final

World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka reached the final of the Stuttgart Open for the fourth time in her career on Sunday as she battled past Italy’s Jasmine Paolini, the No 5 seed, 7-5, 6-4.

The Belarusian hit 33 winners and just 19 unforced errors as she set up a final against Latvian Jelena Ostapenko, hoping to finally get her hands on the title.

“Hopefully four is going to be the lucky one,” she said on court.

Paolini puts up a solid fight

Paolini, who had knocked out American Coco Gauff, the No 4 seed (6-4, 6-3) in the quarter-finals, pushed Sabalenka hard, recovering an early break in the first set before being pipped 7-5.

The Italian, runner-up at the French Open and Wimbledon last summer, broke early to lead 2-0 in the second but Sabalenka roared back to win six of the next eight games for victory.

Ahead of her victory, the Belarusian benefited from the forfeit of Russian Anastasia Potapova and won against Belgian Elise Mertens (6-4, 6-1).

Stuttgart WTA 500, other semi-final result (Porsche-Arena, clay, EUR 925.661):

• Jelena Ostapenko beat Ekaterina Alexandrova: 6-4, 6-4