Sabalenka battles past Kenin and into Rome last 16

Aryna Sabalenka reached the last 16 of the Italian Open on Sunday after battling back from a set down to beat Sofia Kenin 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 to continue her bid for a first Rome title.

- 

World number one Sabalenka came through a tough match with former Australian Open winner Kenin to set up a clash with Marta Kostyuk, who beat Leylah Fernandez 6-4, 6-2.

The Belarusian has reached the final of her last four tournaments, winning in both Miami and Madrid, and is now hot favourite at the Foro Italico even after Sunday's below-par display.

Last year’s losing finalist was not at the races in the first set, consistently misplacing her backhands before appearing to complain about the surface on centre court.