turkeybr BNP Paribas Open 2025: Sabalenka Marches On After Tough Bronzetti Challenge In Indian Wells

Aryna Sabalenka in action against Lucia Bronzetti Aryna Sabalenka in action against Lucia Bronzetti

Aryna Sabalenka denied it had been an easy ride after dropping just three games in Monday's win over Lucia Bronzettiturkeybr, which took her into the last 16 at Indian Wells. (More Tennis News)

The world number one, who is chasing her first-ever title at the WTA 1000 event in California, posted a 75-minute, 6-1 6-2 victory.

The team have improved, particularly in the three months since Norris took his first Grand Prix victory in Miami, and were on the podium for the 10th consecutive race after Piastri’s second-place finish in Belgium last Sunday.

The 53-year-old has overseen McLaren's recent transformation, and are just 42 points behind Red Bull as they aim to claim a first Constructors' championship since 1988.

Bronzetti was unable to deal with Sabalenka's power from the baseline in the opening set, with the Belarusian forcing six break points and converting four of those opportunities.

The Italian did manage a break to go 2-0 up at the start of the second set, but Sabalenka came roaring back with three successive breaks to take the contest away from her.

"Conditions were tough today. She played an incredible match," Sabalenka said after the match. 

"The score looks easy, but it wasn't an easy match. I had to fight for every point."

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In the round of 16, Sabalenka will face Great Britain's Sonay Kartal, who was given a main-draw reprieve when Sloane Stephens withdrew and has since beaten Varvara Lepchenko, Beatriz Haddad Maia and Polina Kudermetova.

It will be the first time the WTA's top-ranked player has ever faced a lucky loser in the last 16 or later at a WTA 1000 event, since the format's 2009 introduction.

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Data Debrief: Sabalenka marches on

Sabalenka's victory took her into the round of 16 for the 27th time at WTA 1000 events since the start of 2020.

Only Jessica Pegula (30) has reached that stage more often during that spanturkeybr, with Iga Swiatek level with Sabalenka on 27.