In a match marked by Aryna Sabalenka’s intermittent struggles, the second-seeded player managed to surmount her early serve woes to outmuscle unseeded Belgian Maryna Zanevska with a scoreline of 6-3, 6-2 on Tuesday, propelling herself into the second round of the U.S. Open.
Twice a semi-finalist at the New York tournament, Sabalenka is on a mission to claim her second Grand Slam title and ascend to the top of the world rankings, surpassing Iga Swiatek. Although she didn’t exhibit her finest form, Sabalenka showcased her composure in pivotal moments during the challenging match.
Initiating the encounter with a shaky display, Sabalenka’s serve was marred by five double faults, resulting in a loss of serve on two occasions. Ukrainian-born Zanevska, however, was unable to capitalize on these openings, granting Sabalenka a reprieve.
Acknowledging her initial struggles with a touch of humor, Sabalenka expressed her gratitude to the audience, stating, “First of all I want to thank you guys for staying because if I would be you, after the third double fault I’d leave the stadium. Thank you for being patient.” Despite making 23 unforced errors, Sabalenka navigated the match’s challenges with poise.
Reflecting on her performance, Sabalenka commented, “It was a tough start, it was so humid. I couldn’t hold my racket. I’m glad I was able to get through this situation and get this win. She played an unbelievable match and she fought till the end. I’m just super happy with the win.”
While Sabalenka grappled with finding her rhythm, her groundstrokes remained robust, underlining her offensive prowess. She rallied to secure four consecutive games, obtaining a commanding 5-2 lead before sealing the first set in 36 minutes.
Zanevska, a 30-year-old competitor who disclosed plans to retire following the tournament due to an ongoing back issue, secured an early break in the second set. However, Sabalenka demonstrated resilience, clawing her way back to level the set at 2-2 before asserting her dominance.
As the match progressed, Sabalenka’s ascendancy became evident. She orchestrated another break as Zanevska’s resistance dwindled, sealing her victory with two powerful serves. Her triumph earns her a clash with British player Jodie Burrage in the upcoming round.
Regarding her performance, Sabalenka noted, “I’m most pleased with my focus. No matter what I was able to focus on myself and not on the score and just keep trying to find my rhythm. Hopefully I’ll do better with every game.”
Sabalenka’s journey at the U.S. Open continues, with her unwavering focus and resilience poised to be key assets as she navigates through the challenges of the tournament.
