Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 1 and a three-time Grand Slam champion, ignited her 2025 clay season with a commanding performance at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart on April 19, 2025. In her opening match of the tournament, a quarterfinal clash against former doubles partner Elise Mertens, Sabalenka overcame an early stumble to secure a 6-4, 6-1 victory, advancing to her third Stuttgart semifinal. The Belarusian’s relentless power and newfound composure on the red clay signal her intent to finally capture the elusive Stuttgart title, having fallen in the final three times previously.
Sabalenka’s journey to the semifinals was unconventional. As the top seed, she received a first-round bye, and her scheduled second-round match against Anastasia Potapova was canceled due to Potapova’s injury withdrawal, granting Sabalenka a walkover into the quarterfinals. This extended rest, coupled with the tournament’s pause for the Good Friday holiday, meant Sabalenka didn’t strike a ball in competition until Saturday. “Yeah, that’s a bit awkward,” she admitted, reflecting on the unusual schedule. To stay sharp, she adjusted her practice routine, hitting the gym and fine-tuning her game. “I just have a team who helps to put it all together,” she said, crediting her support staff for keeping her focused during the wait.
Against Mertens, Sabalenka faced an early test. Trailing 3-4 in the first set and down a break, she found herself in a heated exchange over a disputed ball mark. Convinced her shot was in, Sabalenka requested a check, then used a team member’s phone to photograph the mark, earning a warning for unsportsmanlike conduct from umpire Miriam Bley. “When I gave her a handshake, there was a very interesting look and a very strong handshake. Never had it before,” Sabalenka quipped post-match, her humor masking the intensity of the moment. Undeterred, she broke back immediately, reeling off nine of the last ten games to dominate the match. Her 22 winners and eight aces underscored her aggressive style, while Mertens, hampered by an ankle issue, struggled to keep pace.
This victory marks Sabalenka’s seventh straight win, a streak that includes her Miami Open title in March, where she defeated Jessica Pegula. With a 23-4 record in 2025, Sabalenka is in scintillating form, though her clay-court history in Stuttgart is bittersweet. She reached the finals in 2021, 2022, and 2023, losing to Ashleigh Barty and Iga Swiatek (twice). “I lost three finals against World No. 1s. So I was, like, ‘Okay, I have to do it. I have to come back here as World No. 1. Maybe that’s the deal,’” she said, her determination palpable. Now, as the top-ranked player, she’s poised to rewrite her Stuttgart story.
In the semifinals, Sabalenka faces No. 5 seed Jasmine Paolini, who upset Coco Gauff 6-4, 6-3 in her quarterfinal. Sabalenka leads their head-to-head 3-2, but Paolini’s speed and tactical play, highlighted by her 2022 Indian Wells win over Sabalenka, make her a dangerous foe. “I’m happy to be back,” Sabalenka told reporters earlier in the week, expressing her eagerness to compete on clay after a 10-month hiatus. Her last clay match, a Roland Garros quarterfinal loss to Mirra Andreeva in 2024, lingered in her mind, but her Stuttgart performance suggests she’s adapted swiftly to the surface’s demands.
Sabalenka’s 2025 season has been a blend of triumph and heartbreak. Titles in Brisbane and Miami, plus a 10th Grand Slam semifinal at the Australian Open, showcase her dominance. Yet, final losses to Madison Keys in Melbourne and Andreeva in Indian Wells sting. Stuttgart offers a chance to add a WTA 500 title to her 19 career singles trophies, eight of which are WTA 1000 events. Her social media savvy, with 2.7 million Instagram followers, complements her on-court prowess, as she balances global stardom with a fierce competitive drive.
As the tournament heads toward its Easter Monday final, Sabalenka’s path is fraught with challenges. A potential final against Jelena Ostapenko, who defeated Swiatek in the quarterfinals, looms large. Ostapenko’s 6-0 record against Swiatek, including a 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 win in Stuttgart, makes her a formidable threat. For Sabalenka, the semifinal against Paolini is the next hurdle in her quest for Stuttgart glory. With her vicious hitting and unyielding spirit, the world No. 1 is ready to seize this opportunity and etch her name on the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix trophy at last.