"She's just so powerful, she can hit the ball on a dime": Evert lauds Sabalenka, discusses why she is so difficult to beat
ATPWednesday, 07 June 2023 at 09:30
Chris Evert
believes that Aryna Sabalenka's victory over Iga Swiatek in the Madrid Open
final has given her a boost of confidence heading into Roland Garros.
Sabalenka
had never advanced past the third round of the French Open until this year,
where she has now reached the semifinals. The second seed has not dropped a set
so far and had a convincing win over Elina Svitolina in the quarterfinals.
Only
Karolina Muchova stands between Sabalenka and another Grand Slam final as she
is currently in great form on clay. Chris Evert analyzed Sabalenka's chances
and the confidence she has displayed in recent weeks as the world No. 2.
“Aryna is
just so powerful; she can hit the ball on a dime, hitting the lines,” said Evert.
“She’s got
so much more consistent; her ball retention used to be three or four shots, and
now she’s six or seven shots. She sometimes hits a winner before hitting her
sixth or seventh shot.
“She’s more
patient with herself, moving better, and you can see her improved fitness.
She’s getting in and out of the corners, going for winners, which shows that
she’s moving better and her fitness is better,” 18-time Grand Slam champion
added.
“That win
over Swiatek in Madrid boosted her confidence, and she is a believer that she
can play on clay.”
“She’s been
brought up thinking she’s only a fast-court player, but now she can play and
win on any surface, and that confidence says a lot for her mind.”
“Sabalenka
has that enormous firepower, and when you have that, as well as consistency,
it’s very difficult to play against because you feel like you’re having to
react so much of the time,” said Eurosport expert Tim Henman.
“When your
opponent is hitting the ball so hard, Svitolina has to drop back, and her average
hit point was two metres behind the baseline, whereas Sabalenka was able to get
up tight to the baseline, with her power.
“Sabalenka’s
play is just getting better and better, getting more confident, and when you’re
confident, you move better. It’s all trending in the right direction for her.”
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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