Sabalenka downs Mertens to power into Wimbledon quarterfinals

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus marched into the Wimbledon women's singles quarterfinals on Sunday after beating her former doubles partner Elise Mertens of Belgium.

Sabalenka has never reached a final at the All England Club but is the player to beat as the only one of the top six seeds in the women's draw still standing, but she had to overcome a tough test from Mertens to progress 6-4, 7-6 (4).

The pair won the 2019 US Open and 2021 Australian Open together as a doubles partnership, but Sabalenka has now won their last 10 meetings in singles.

A fast start from Sabalenka saw her stretch out to a 4-1 first set lead, only for Mertens to battle back and level at 4-4.

The three-time Grand Slam winner responded in style, winning eight of the next 11 points, to take the set.

Mertens got the early break in the second, but the world number 23 could not hold on.

Sabalenka broke back to tie up the second set at 3-3 and after six straight holds of serve, the match was decided in a tie-break.

Mertens again had the early advantage, but Sabalenka's blistering ground strokes forced the Belgian onto the back foot before a volleyed winner sealed victory in just over 90 minutes on court.

Sabalenka will next face Germany's Laura Siegemund in the last eight on Tuesday.