INDIAN WELLS, March 10 (Xinhua) -- Women's top seed Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus cruised into the round of 16 at Indian Wells on Monday by overcoming Italian Lucia Bronzetti 6-1, 6-2.
Sabalenka won 75 percent of her first serve points and converted five of 12 break points en route to victory in an hour and 15 minutes.
Bronzetti won just 45 percent of points on her first serve and 40 percent on her second. But the world No. 62 returned solidly and tested Sabalenka with her deep groundstrokes and impressive control in the windy conditions.
"She played an incredible match," the 26-year-old Belarusian said. "The score looks easy, but it wasn't an easy match. I had to fight for every point and I'm super happy with the win."
The world No. 1 will meet Britain's Sonay Kartal on Wednesday for a place in the quarterfinals of the WTA 1000 event. The latter advanced by beating Russian Polina Kudermetova 7-5, 6-3.
Meanwhile, Australian Open champion Madison Keys from the United States claimed a 6-2, 6-7 (8), 6-4 victory over Elise Mertens of Belgium while world No. 3 Coco Gauff of the United States defeated Greece's Maria Sakkari 7-6 (1), 6-2. ■
