Aryna Sabalenka’s red-hot form continued on Monday as she defeated Qinwen Zheng in straight sets.
The Belarusian, who has won 10 consecutive WTA Tour matches, defeated the 2024 Olympic champion 6-3, 6-4 in the Miami Open third round.
In the quarter-finals, Sabalenka will play Hailey Baptiste – who defeated Jelena Ostapenko on Monday.
Is Aryna Sabalenka vs Elena Rybakina the best rivalry in women’s tennis right now?
If not, who is?
Sabalenka has established herself as the player to beat on the WTA Tour over the past three years, winning four Grand Slams and capturing multiple WTA 1000 titles.
This dominance has seen her enter the record books alongside Belgian tennis legend Justine Henin.
Aryna Sabalenka has reached 15 consecutive WTA quarter-finals
After defeating Zheng on Monday, Sabalenka secured her 15th consecutive WTA quarter-final.
As per statisticians OptaAce, Aryna Sabalenka is the first player to reach the quarter-finals in 15 consecutive WTA-level events [excluding WTA Finals] since Justine Henin.
Henin [pictured below], a seven-time major champion, made 25 consecutive quarter-final appearances between Charleston 2006 and Miami 2008.
During that period, Henin won three Grand Slam titles at the French Open and US Open, and two WTA 1000 titles in Canada and Switzerland.
Henin’s run came to an end at the 2008 German Open when she lost in the third round to Dinara Safina 7–5, 3–6, 1–6.
A month later, Henin stunned the tennis world by announcing her retirement from her playing career, despite being ranked as the world number one.
Henin made her comeback in 2010, before retiring for the final time in 2011.
Aryna Sabalenka or Iga Swiatek… who do you prefer? 🤔
Aryna Sabalenka said Justine Henin is an ‘inspiration’
Aryna Sabalenka lost the 2025 French Open final in excruciating circumstances, squandering a set lead on her way to a 7-6, 2-6, 4-6 loss to Coco Gauff.
After the final, Sabalenka admitted she had played ‘terrible tennis’ during the final, but found it within herself to pay her respects to Justine Henin, who presented the trophies to Sabalenka and Gauff.
During the trophy presentation, Sabalenka turned to the four-time French Open champion and said: “Honestly, it’s such an honour being on the stage with you. You’ve been an inspiration for so many players and me as well. Thank you.
“Thank you to my team for your support. I’m sorry for this terrible final. Anyway, thank you everyone. Thank you. As always, I’ll come back stronger.”
