Indian Wells: Aryna Sabalenka qualifies for the quarter-finals by defeating Naomi Osaka 6-2, 6-4

World number one Aryna Sabalenka easily qualified for the quarter-finals in Indian Wells, beating Naomi Osaka 6-2, 6-4.

The four-time Grand Slam champions met for the first time since 2018, when Osaka beat Sabalenka en route to winning the US Open.

But on this occasion, Sabalenka, 27, proved too strong for the 16th seed, finishing off the match within 80 minutes.

“It’s crazy,” Sabalenka said. “For many years we only played once, and I’m sure we will play more matches. She will come back and play great tennis.”

“I am very happy with the result, much better than last time.”

Osaka, who had not played for 14 months before giving birth to her daughter Shay in July 2023, started the match confidently on her opening serve.

But Sabalenka quickly found her rhythm and broke the 28-year-old Japanese player’s serve to take a 2-1 lead.

The Belarusian player tightened her grip with a barrage of powerful backhand kicks to take a 5-2 lead, then easily settled the set with an ace.

Osaka and Sabalenka held their serve at the beginning of the second set before the latter took control of her serve and the score was 4-2 with a decisive break of serve before ending the match.

Sabalenka added: “I’m happy because I put a lot of pressure on her today, and because I added diversity to the field.”

He added, “My serve was good. In returning shots, I played really great tennis. I’m definitely happy with my performance.”

Sabalenka, who finished second last year, will face Canadian Victoria Mpoko or American Amanda Anisimova in the quarter-finals.