Aryna Sabalenka wins 15th match in a row to reach Beijing quarter-finals

Top seed Aryna Sabalenka (26) achieved her 15th consecutive victory, advancing to the quarter-finals of the China Open with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Madison Keys (29) on Wednesday.

The US Open champion is set to compete against either Karolina Muchova from the Czech Republic or Spain's Cristina Bucsa in the quarter-finals in Beijing.

As the world number two, Sabalenka has recorded more match wins on tour this season than any other player, further extending her impressive run with a relatively straightforward triumph over the 24th-ranked American.

On a bright day in Beijing, Sabalenka and Keys traded breaks in the first set until a 3-3 tie, after which the powerful Belarusian surged ahead to secure the first set.

The second set followed a similar pattern, culminating in Keys' double fault on the first match point, which allowed Sabalenka to clinch the match in 65 minutes.

Sabalenka is on a potential semi-final collision course with China's Olympic champion Qinwen Zheng, who is scheduled to face 43rd-ranked Amanda Anisimova in the last 16 later on Wednesday.

The three-time Grand Slam champion Sabalenka has the opportunity to significantly close the gap on Iga Swiatek at the top of the rankings by winning the title in Beijing.

Swiatek is absent from the tournament due to "personal matters."

SportsLigue