Mayar Sherif becomes first Egyptian to reach WTA 1000 quarter-finals at Madrid Masters

Mayar Sherif defeated Elise Mertens at the Madrid Masters on Monday to become the first Egyptian to reach the quarter-finals of a WTA 1000 event.

World No 59 Sherif edged out former Australian Open semi-finalist Mertens 6-4, 0-6, 6-4 in a two-hour, 53-minute rollercoaster clash in the Spanish capital.

The 26-year-old trailblazer became the first player from her country to crack the top 100 in August 2021, to break the top 50 in May 2022, and to win a WTA Tour title in Parma last October.

Sherif has beaten Italian Camila Giorgi, Ukrainian Anhelina Kalinina, French No 5 seed Caroline Garcia and now 24th seed Mertens on her run to the last eight in Spain.

Next up, though, will be the formidable challenge of second seed Aryna Sabalenka who ended 16-year-old wild card Mirra Andreeva's run in Madrid with a 6-3, 6-1 victory in the fourth round on Monday.

Australian Open champion Sabalenka is in excellent form having reached at least the quarter-final stage at all seven tournaments she has contested in 2023, with her record standing this season standing at 26-4.

Another great day in Madrid. Vamos!