World number one Aryna Sabalenka fought back from a set down to defeat Naomi Osaka 6-7, 6-3, 6-2 at the Madrid Open, keeping her title defense alive.
The Belarusian, a three-time champion in Madrid, weathered an early challenge from former world number one Osaka in a match lasting over two hours.
After a tightly contested first set that went to a tiebreak, which Osaka won 7-6, Sabalenka asserted her dominance. She immediately responded with increased intent in the second set, earning break points and eventually shifting the momentum.
Sabalenka secured a decisive break in the eighth game of the second set and carried that surge into the decider. She broke Osaka's serve again in the fourth game and ultimately closed out the match with a commanding 6-2 finish.
Sabalenka is set to face American Hailey Baptiste in the quarter-finals. In other matches, Stefanos Tsitsipas defeated Daniel Merida and will next play Casper Ruud.