Breaking News: Aryna Sabalenka Skips Match, Still Makes it to the Quarter-Finals in Stuttgart Open

Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the Quarter-Finals of the 2025 Stuttgart Open without playing a single match after Anastasia Potapova had to withdraw from their Last 16 encounter due to injury.

Potapova defeated Clara Tauson yesterday, confirmed the return of an old injury, and hopes to be ready for Madrid. However, Sabalenka will now have the majority of the week off.

“Very sad to announce that I’m not able to continue my run in Stuttgart. Last few days were very tough and unfortunately my old injury came up.I always loved to play here and happy with my yesterday’s win, but it is what it is…See you in 2026! I will make sure I’m ready and healthy for Madrid,” wrote Potapova on Instagram.

Already set for a Wednesday start, Sabalenka will now not play and with the Quarter-Finals now set to take place on Saturday due to public holidays. This means the tournament ends on Easter Monday.

But Sabalenka will now have a major chance to win the title by only playing a maximum of three games.

“Due to the public holiday bye-laws of the Federal State of Baden-Württemberg, it is not allowed to hold sports events on Good Friday (18 April). As a result, the singles final will be played on Easter Monday whilst the doubles winners will be determined as usual on Sunday.”

She will face Elise Mertens or Diana Shnaider in the Quarter-Finals, which will take place tomorrow. Coco Gauff or Jasmine Paolini are the most likely semi-finalists because they are in the same quadrant. Iga Swiatek, whom she had lost to in the final several times, would be her final opponent.

Overall, Potapova’s withdrawal might be a blessing or a curse because it means less game time for her, but it could also mean she is underprepared when she faces Shnaider in the Quarter-finals. Time will tell.