Sabalenka Advances Amid Disputed Call in Stuttgart Open Quarter-Finals

STUTTGART, Germany – World number one Aryna Sabalenka triumphed over Elise Mertens in the quarter-finals of the Stuttgart Open on April 19, 2025, with a scoreline of 6-4, 6-1. However, the match was marked by a controversial incident involving a disputed line call that added drama to the proceedings.

As the match progressed, Sabalenka found herself facing significant pressure, trailing 4-3 in the first set when an ‘out’ call on one of her shots led to a pivotal moment. Without the benefit of Electronic Line Calling, Sabalenka decided to photograph the ball mark with a team member’s phone to verify the line judge’s decision. This unusual maneuver caught the attention of chair umpire Miriam Bley, resulting in a warning for unsportsmanlike conduct.

“I felt the referee was pi–ed by the picture I took,” Sabalenka reflected after the match. Despite this momentary distraction, Sabalenka quickly regrouped and dominated the remainder of the match, ultimately winning nine of the final ten games.

Post-match, Sabalenka commented on her handshake with Bley, describing it as having a “very interesting look” and a notably strong grip. When asked if she reciprocated the handshake, she stated, “No, it’s OK. Why would I play this game with someone like her? It’s OK.” This response demonstrated her commitment to focusing on the game rather than lingering frustrations about officiating.

With this victory, Sabalenka is set to face Italy’s Jasmine Paolini in the semi-finals, who earlier defeated American star Coco Gauff 6-4, 6-3. Paolini’s performance highlighted her rising stature on the WTA tour.

Meanwhile, in another quarter-final, Latvian Jelena Ostapenko continued her winning streak against Iga Swiatek, the reigning champion and world number two, winning 6-3, 3-6, 6-2. This marked Ostapenko’s sixth consecutive victory over Swiatek, a notable achievement considering Swiatek’s previous 11-1 record at the Stuttgart Open.

Ostapenko’s aggressive style was evident as she hit 29 winners against Swiatek’s 17. She broke Swiatek’s serve three times in the first set, exploiting the Pole’s vulnerabilities, particularly on her second serve. Although Swiatek managed to level the match in the second set, Ostapenko quickly regained control in the deciding set, winning 12 of the first 15 points.

<p“She's a great clay-court player, but I won the French [Open] as well, so I can say the same thing about myself,” Ostapenko remarked, acknowledging her respect for Swiatek while asserting her own abilities on clay.

Next, Ostapenko will meet Ekaterina Alexandrova in the semi-finals after the Russian knocked out third seed Jessica Pegula in straight sets, 6-0, 6-4. The upcoming matches promise to deliver high-stakes excitement as players vie for a spot in the final.

As the Stuttgart Open advances, all eyes are on Sabalenka as she seeks her first title in the tournament, having finished as a runner-up three times in the past. Her focus during the previous controversy will be a critical factor in her forthcoming matches.