A bulleting forehand by 20 year old Belorussian, Aryna Sabalenka- completed an accomplished week, as she saw off Anett Kontaveit 6-3, 6-3 to win Wuhan title. This is her second title of the season. A successful season from Sabalenka was entirely foreseeable at the beginning of it. This victory confirms that she will definitely be a rival for Naomi Osaka in seasons to come.
Sabalenka Bulldozered Kontaveit with Aplomb
Sabalenka struts onto court with a fiercely determined look in her eyes. Her Estonian opponent does not make eye contact. This shows that Aryna Sabalenka is now a feared opponent on the WTA. The way she moves around the court and controls Kontaveit from the baseline with power and precision- is an ultimate joy to witness.
Critics often point to the fact that powerhouses often make more mistakes. Sabalenka’s double-fault count plagued her last year. Against Kontaveit there was just one. Albeit a daft one, but she is only 20 and it is obvious that she is good at addressing improvement areas.
Sabalenka has Worked on Double-Fault Issue Since the Osaka Match
The recent US Open contest between Sabalenka and Osaka was a taste of things to come. The web is flooded with articles about Osaka. However, Sabalenka was the only player to take a set off Osaka in the whole tournament.
A double fault count of 8, suggests that Sabalenka contributed to her own downfall. As the statistics suggest- she has been working on this. When the pair meet again, there is no certainty that the outcome will be the same. In her 7 matches since the Osaka contest- Sabalenka has made at least 2 fewer double-faults per match.
Sabalenka’s Scheduling Faux Pas The Only Current Blip
After Sabalenka’s US Open quarterfinal run – there was a blip against Varvara Lepchenko in Quebec. This is purely a scheduling mistake, opting to stay in North American and play immediately after the US Open. In hindsight she should have had a rest and then gone onto the Asian swing, whereby she was bound to make waves. It seems a small point, but tournament scheduling is going to be key for Sabalenka, as she targets Slams. The future is not just bright- it’s glowing for Aryna Sabalenka.
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