Aryna Sabalenka kept alive her hopes of completing the Sunshine Double in 2026 with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over American Caty McNally on Sunday night.
The World No. 1 and top seed was tested at times by the Ohio native, but ultimately pulled away, winning eight of the final 10 games to book her spot in the round of 16.
Sabalenka will next face former Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen, who defeated Madison Keys, 4-6, 6-2, 6-4.
Hailey Baptiste was also a winner on Sunday, the American knocking out No. 9 seed Elina Svitolina, 6-3, 7-5, to set a round-of-16 clash with Jelena Ostapenko, who defeated Jasmine Paolini, 5-7, 6-2, 7-5.
Elena Rybakina, last weekend’s runner-up at Indian Wells, powered past Marta Kostyuk, 6-3, 6-4, while Talia Gibson continued her strong form with a 6-2, 6-2 win over American Iva Jovic.
Gibson, a 21-year-old qualifier, had never recorded a Top 50 win (0-9) prior to her trip to Indian Wells. Since then, she has notched seven Top 50 victories.
The Australian had just two WTA match wins to her name before Indian Wells, and now has seven. She will face Rybakina in the round of 16.