Sabalenka wins Upper Austria Ladies' Linz 2020

Aryna Sabalenka defeated her good friend and doubles partner Elise Mertens in straight sets to lift another trophy this season.

When it became apparent that Sabalenka and Mertens would play each other everybody got excited. Not only are their very successful doubles partners they are also close friends. Sabalenka played better and won 7-5 6-2 in just over an hour and a half. Both knew each other well and at the start of the match, it really looked that way as both were well prepared and knew how to attack weaknesses. They exchanged early breaks and from there was not much excitement. Games came and went and both players their style. A weak service game late in the set by Sabalenka gave Mertens the 5-4 lead and a chance to win the opening set but the Belarussian responded immediately to make it 5-5. She knew exactly how to do it and it worked. Later in the set, Mertens had break points as well but Aryna saved them and then went on to repeat the formula from the previous service game of the Belgian to win the opening et 7-5.

The start of the 2nd set brought strong play from Sabalenka and a dropoff in play from Mertens so the Belarussian quickly found herself being up 3-0 and it seemed like nothing would stop her from winning another title. After winning her own service game, Mertens carved out a double break point but Sabalenka remained calm and saved them both to retain the lead 4-1. The players continued playing their game and the match ended when Sabalenka closed the 2nd set out with 6-2. Congratulations on another trophy.

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