Aryna
Sabalenka (No. 3) continues her hot streak after defeating Victoria Azarenka
(No. 20) 6-4, 6-4 to advance to the semifinals of the Mubadala DC Open. The
world No. 3 faced strong resistance from her compatriot but ultimately overcame
the tough challenge to reach the last four of the tournament.
The
26-year-old player decided to skip the Olympic Games, and it seems to have been
a good choice regarding her performance on hard courts. So far, Sabalenka has
not lost a set and is a strong contender for the title. Her next opponent will
be Marie Bouzkova (No. 43), who defeated Robin Montgomery (No. 131).
Sabalenka advances to semifinals after beating Azarenka
There is
much that connects Sabalenka with Azarenka; both Belarusians reached world No.
1 and have won two Grand Slam titles, both at the Australian Open, though nine
years apart. Nonetheless, their matches always have a special flavor,
considering their past experiences playing doubles together.
Read also
At the
start of the match, neither player managed to threaten their opponent's serve.
Azarenka faced serious problems every time she played with her first serve
against Sabalenka's strong returns, especially her forehand. In the 6th game,
Sabalenka seized her opportunity and went ahead 4-2.
However,
the joy didn't last long for Sabalenka, as Azarenka broke back in the next
game. While the 35-year-old was serving at 4-5, she again struggled with her
opponent's deep returns, and after a hard-fought game, Sabalenka secured the
break on her fourth set point to take the lead 6In Janu
Sabalenka won her second Australian Open title this year.
The world
No. 3 dominated on serve, winning 81% of her first serves, though she dropped
significantly to 36% on her second serve. Similarly, Azarenka won 72% of the
points on her first serve but only managed 8% (1/12) on her second.
In the
second set, Sabalenka got an early break in the second game. Despite facing
issues with her serve, she took a clear 3-0 lead. However, Azarenka was not
ready to give up, recovered the break, and leveled the match at 3-3.
Like in the
first set, Azarenka was serving at 4-5 and again faltered under the pressure,
conceding a single opportunity to Sabalenka, who didn't waste it to secure the
victory 6-4, 6-4. In the semifinals, she will face Czech Marie Bouzkova (No.
43).
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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