World number one Aryna Sabalenka marched into the Wimbledon quarterfinals on Sunday as her former doubles partner Elise Mertens fell short of upsetting the US Open champion. Sabalenka has never reached a final at the All England Club but is the player to beat as the only one of the top six seeds in the women’s draw still standing.

LONDON, July 6 (Reuters) - Aryna Sabalenka maintained her stranglehold over Belgian Elise Mertens with a hard-fought 6-4 7-6 (4) victory on Sunday to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals as she bids for a maiden title at the grasscourt Grand Slam.

World number one Aryna Sabalenka overcame a battling Elise Mertens to reach the quarter-finals and stay on course for a first Wimbledon title .