Sabalenka beats Keys at the China Open, tying her career-best winning streak

BEIJING – Second-seeded Aryna Sabalenka matched her best 15 straight wins with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Madison Keys to reach the quarterfinals of the China Open on Wednesday.

The three-time Grand Slam champion began her winning streak in August with a title in Cincinnati and continued it with a run to the championship at the US Open last month. She also won the Australian Open earlier this year. Her previous winning streak of 15 came in the 2020-21 seasons.

“When you're able to sacrifice a lot, work hard and get these victories, that's the best feeling,” Sabalenka said. “You’re just living your best life. You're looking forward to playing your games. You look forward to every battle you face.”

The Belarusian has won 30 of 31 sets played in her current series and only lost one set against Ekaterina Alexandrova in the third round of the US Open.

That edge in form was quickly apparent on Wednesday as Sabalenka broke the Keys' No. 24 seed in the third game of the first set and then dominated on serve in an efficient 65-minute game, improving her head-to-head record against the Americans to 4-1.

The 26-year-old Belarusian lost just five points on her first serve of the match and managed to save both break points against her, although Keys scored 22 winners with 10 unforced errors.

Sabalenka will face Karolina Muchova in the quarterfinals after the Czech beat Cristina Bucsa 6-2, 6-0.

Paris Olympics gold medalist Zheng Qinwen played a night match against Amanda Anisimova

Later on Wednesday, leader Jannik Sinner will face rival Carlos Alcaraz in the men's final.

Sinner and Alcaraz have won all four Grand Slam titles together this year. Alcaraz leads the head-to-head series 5-4 – including wins in both meetings this year in the semifinals at Indian Wells and the French Open.

The 23-year-old Italian did not appear to be distracted by the World Anti-Doping Agency's announcement on Saturday that it was seeking a one- to two-year ban for the US Open champion, who tested positive twice in March anabolic steroid was tested.

Shanghai Masters

French veteran Gael Monfils easily advanced to the second round of the Shanghai Masters with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Damir Dzumhur.

The 38-year-old Monfils will next face 22nd-seeded Argentinian Sebastian Baez.

Arthur Rinderknech also advanced with a 6-4, 7-6 (5) victory over American Reilly Opelka, while Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands beat Pablo Carreño Busta 7-6 (5), 6-2.

In addition, Alexandre Müller recovered from a set down and won 4:6, 6:1, 6:1 over the Italian Luca Nardi.

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AP Tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis