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Having seen her French Open campaign end in the quarter-final, Sabalenka bounced back with a 6-4 6-4 victory in 82 minutes.

Alexandrova had to fend off two break points in the opening game and match Sabalenka well in the opening stages, but the world number one soon gained control.

A three-game winning streak, in which she did not drop a point, saw Sabalenka take the first set, while another break got her off the mark in the second.

Alexandrova hit straight back to get on level terms once more, but Sabalenka reeled off three straight games again as she regained her rhythm.

The Russian held off the inevitable, defending two break and match points to claw back to 5-4, but Sabalenka clinched the match with a love-hold to reach the next round.