World number one Aryna Sabalenka eased into the quarter-finals at Indian Wells with a 6-2 6-4 victory over Naomi Osaka.
The two four-time Grand Slam champions were meeting for the first time since 2018, when Osaka beat Sabalenka en route to winning the US Open.
But on this occasion Sabalenka, 27, proved too strong for the 16th seed as she wrapped up the match within 80 minutes.
“It’s crazy, for so many years we only played once I’m pretty sure we are playing many more matches she’s coming back playing great tennis,” Sabalenka said.
“I’m pretty happy for the result – much better than last time.”
Osaka, who did not play for 14 months around the birth of daughter Shai in July 2023, began the match with a confident opening service game.
However, Sabalenka soon found her rhythm and broke the 28-year-old Japanese’s serve to take a 2-1 lead.
The Belarusian tightened her grip with a barrage of powerful backhands to lead 5-2, then served out the set comfortably with an ace.
Osaka and Sabalenka both held serve early in the second set before the latter seized control at 4-2 with a decisive break before she served out for the match.
“I’m happy that I put so much pressure on her today, that I brought variety to the court,” Sabalenka added.
“My serve worked well. On the return I played really great tennis. Happy with my performance for sure.”
Sabalenka, who finished runner-up last year, will face Canada’s Victoria Mboko or Amanda Anisimova of the United States in the last eight.
