WATCH: Aryna Sabalenka swoons over Rome pasta, gelato, dreams of winning in Foro Italico

ROME, Italy—Aryna Sabalenka revealed the Internazionali BNL d’Italia is her “dream” tournament after reaching the fourth round on Sunday.

“I love Rome,” she said following a 6-4, 6-2 win over Dayana Yastremska—her first against the Australian Open semifinalist in three previous attempts. “I love the city. I feel, I don't know, so comfortable being here. I enjoy walking around. I enjoy good food, great restaurants. I enjoy the atmosphere on the stadium.”

Of the major clay-court tournaments, Sabalenka has enjoyed her greatest successes at the faster Mutua Madrid Open, which she has won twice, and the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, where she reached three straight finals from 2021-2023.

By contrast, Sabalenka has made it to the semifinals just once in five total appearances at the Foro Italico, and endured a thudding opening-round loss to Sofia Kenin at this tournament last year after defeating Iga Swiatek to win in Madrid.

“Every time I was losing here, I was so sad,” she explained. “I felt like I lost on the Grand Slam because it was one of the dream tournaments for me to win. It's still one of my dream tournament.”

That’s not all Sabalenka is dreaming of during her stay in Rome: the No. 2 seed admitted she has sworn off sugar while she remains in the hunt for the title, which means none of the city’s famous gelato.

“Why do you make me want it? I'm not allowed to eat sugar during the tournament,” she laughed before naming her favorite flavors.

“Stracciatella, pistachio, vanilla. I would go for all them, like a big bowl of gelatos. Dream snack.”

The two-time Australian Open champion has at least managed to indulge on the savory side, sharing her favorite pasta dishes Rome has to offer.

“It's definitely truffle pasta, like carbonara with truffle. I love it. Or a spicy red pasta with meat is also one of my favorites. I don't know, every pasta is my favorite here!”

Sabalenka stands four wins from her dream trophy—and dream snack—and she will next face either two-time champion Elina Svitolina or No. 23 seed Anna Kalinskaya.