Sabalenka survives tough grind

INDIAN WELLS — Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka saved four match points and needed four of her own to earn a 6-7 (2/7), 6-2, 7-6 (8/6) victory over Payton Stearns on Saturday at the Indian Wells Masters.

The world No. 2 was pushed to the limit in her opening match by the American outsider ranked 64th.

The match became a struggle from the start for Sabalenka, who was coming off an opening match loss in Dubai in February.

But she broke Stearns as the American served for the biggest upset of her career leading 5-4 in the third set, and taking a 40-0 lead. Sabalenka saved one match point with a stinging backhand winner and Stearns began to tighten up.

“This match will definitely go into the book of craziest matches and the best matches of my career,” she said.

Sabalenka also rolled her ankle during the intense evening struggle but said she will be ready for her next match. She booked a third-round meeting with 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu of Britain.