Sabalenka sails into Indian Wells last 16

Bangla Press Desk:  World number one Aryna Sabalenka powered past Romania's Jaqueline Cristian 6-4, 6-1 on Sunday to reach the fourth round at Indian Wells.

The Belarusian star belted 23 winners in an impressive display against her 35th-ranked opponent and will next face 16th-seeded Naomi Osaka of Japan.

There were a few blips, notably a double fault on break point as she served for the opening set. 

Sabalenka responded by breaking Cristian to pocket the set and was satisfied with an overpowering performance.

"I knew that she was not going to give up easily," she said. "That's why I was super-focused, especially on my serve. I didn't want to give her much opportunity so super-happy with the serving, with the game and of course with the win."

In other matches, Osaka beat Osorio after falling to the Colombian in the first round last year.

Four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka is playing her first tournament since withdrawing before her Australian Open third-round match with an abdominal injury.

Osaka had won her first WTA title at Indian Wells in 2018. Source: daily Sun

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