Women’s world No 4 Elena Rybakina eased to a 6-1, 6-4 win over Egypt’s Mayar Sherif to reach the Madrid Open last 16 on Sunday.
The Kazakh, who has a tour-leading three titles this season after triumphing in Stuttgart last week, broke twice in the first set to move 5-0 ahead on the Spanish clay.
Although Sherif battled harder in the second set, surviving four match points to hold for 5-4 down, Rybakina clinched the victory on serve at the Caja Magica.
“Despite the score, it was a very tough match,” said Rybakina, who has the best record on the tour this season with 28 wins.
