Overview

• Aryna Sabalenka secured a 6-4, 6-1 victory over Elise Mertens in the Stuttgart quarterfinals to move closer to her first title at the tournament.
• During the match, Sabalenka photographed a disputed ball mark to contest an umpire's ruling that cost her a point in the first set.
• Elise Mertens took a medical timeout to treat her right foot during the same changeover when Sabalenka captured the photo.
• Sabalenka entered the tournament unusually late, benefiting from a first-round bye and Anastasia Potapowa's withdrawal due to injury.
• She will face Jasmine Paolini in the semifinals, with two wins standing between her and her maiden Stuttgart title.