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Aryna Sabalenka needed four match points and more than two hours to avenge a loss to Sofia Kenin from two years ago at the Rome Masters on Sunday.
The world No. 1 top seed had her struggles as she defeated the American who knocked her out at the Foro Italico in her opening match of 2023.
Sabalenka, winner of three Grand Slam titles over the past two seasons, now leads the series which began in 2018 with a 4-1 scoreline.
The top seed who lost the Rome final in 2024 to Iga Swiatek, was helped by eight double-faults from Kenin, Australian Open champion five years ago.
The third-round match was a struggle, with the pair playing a monster second game of the final set during which Sabalenka needed 10 deuces before breaking her opponent on a seventh chance.
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