Rybakina and Sabalenka stand a chance against Swiatek's clay-court dominance, says Navratilova
WTASaturday, 25 May 2024 at 22:30
Martina
Navratilova has identified Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina as the players
who can defeat Iga Swiatek at the French Open. The Polish World No. 1 arrives
as the main favorite after winning both WTA 1000 titles on clay at the Madrid
Open and Rome Open, and being a three-time Roland Garros champion.
Facing
Swiatek is always a tough task for any player, especially on clay and given her
current form. However, Navratilova believes there are still a couple of big
hitters who can pose a threat to Swiatek.
"They're the two that can match her with power" - Martina Navratilova
Both
players are in the bottom half of the draw at opposite ends, so they could only
meet in potential semifinals and then face Swiatek in a possible final. “If
somebody’s going to beat Iga, I think you have to go with the big hitters:
Rybakina, Sabalenka. They’re the two that can match her with power. When
Rybakina’s healthy and committed, she’s very dangerous,” she said.
“With that
serve, clay is probably her worst surface -- and yet, she won Stuttgart and was
the champion a year ago in Rome. Most of the time, her serve keeps points
shorter. When it doesn’t, she has difficulty stringing rallies together,”
Navratilova added.
Rybakina leads the head to head against Swiatek 4-2 (2-0 in clay)
The 18-times Grand Slam champion highlighted Sabalenka's consistency in the clay-swing, after reaching two consecutive finals, despite losing to Swiatek in both: “All the
great ones take time away from their opponents. That’s what Swiatek did to
Sabalenka in the Rome final. You think you always have to hit a great shot.
That’s the common mistake: ‘Hey, Aryna, just hit another one.’
“It’s a bit
of a panic when you try to hit too much. You still have to make them play. Be
prepared to hit more shots. I know she has the tools, physically and mentally,
to pull this off. You don’t have to redline, just amp it up maybe five percent
and live to fight another day. Sabalenka’s played Iga in two straight red-clay
finals, I can see it happening a third time.”
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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