Sabalenka escapes early exit at Australian Open against Sanders

Wolrd number two Sabalenka did not enter the year in good form. The Belarussian struggled with her play so far especially on serve commiting numerous double faults. Something similar plagued her in this match and couple with a rather lacklustre level of tennis early on it was trouble. Sanders was able to take advantage of that poor start and the first set 7-5. She could have won it at 5-4 but failed to serve it out.

In the 2nd set, Sanders was up early 3-1 after some more poor play from Sabalenka. By this time the Belarussian had already committed 9 double faults but her opponent was not much better with 6. Sabalenka was very close to defeat and she looked quite bad but something changed. After some poor play by Sanders the Belarussians made it 3-3.

That ignited a fire within her and she went on to win the next three games closing out the 2nd set with 6-3. Her play stabilized and she stopped committing double faults as well. That good play carried over into the 3rd set as Sabalenka was able to take a double break lead early 3-0. It was an 8-0 run for her at that point.

Sanders finally stopped the run but it was not enough to overcome the deficit. Sabalenka closed it out with 6-1 and moved on. A huge win for Sabalenka who desperately needed something like this in order to build confidence.