Staff Reporter.
Aryna Sabalenka made the WTA Stuttgart final for the third consecutive year after defeating Anastasia Potapova in straight sets on Saturday.
The Australian Open champion dominated her opponent, winning 6-1, 6-2 to keep herself on course for a third title this year.
Sabalenka will now face either World No.1 Iga Swiatek or No.3 seed Ons Jabeur in a marquee championship match at the indoor clay-court tournament on Sunday.
She is aiming to make it third time lucky after back-to-back runner-up finishes in Stuttgart. In the last two years, Sabalenka lost in the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix final to the World No.1 — Ashleigh Barty in 2021 and Swiatek in 2022.
A first Stuttgart title would only enhance Sabalenka’s breakthrough start to the season, which included her first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open earlier in the year.
Sabalenka is now the first player to reach four finals in 2023, having also won the Adelaide International 1 title and finishing as runner-up to Elena Rybakina in Indian Wells.
Saturday’s victory marks Sabalenka’s 23rd match-win so far this season, more than any other player on tour. Sabalenka edges ahead of Rybakina and Jessica Pegula, who both have 22 match-wins this year.