Aryna Sabalenka didn't welcome her loss to Krejcikova in Dubai but she was a bit relieved because there will be less attention on her now following a furious start.
Sabalenka arrived in Dubai undefeated and started great. Her winning streak ultimately ended against Krejcikova and while the loss was disappointing, Sabalenka wasn't totally crushed by it. She was kind of glad that the streak is over because there won't be much attention to it anymore.
We saw last year how streaks can become the only thing that matters when Swiatek had hers. She grew tired of it rather quickly. When it comes to Sabalenka she said this after her loss:
"Probably there will be less attention (now that the streak is over). It doesn't matter, I lost it. Barbora deserved it, she played great tennis and I will just keep working and keep getting better; make sure that Indian Wells will be a better result.
Sabalenka hoped to meet Swiatek on the court at this event but perhaps she'll get a chance in another event:
"I really would like to see that happening (playing finals
against Swiatek) but first of all I have to work hard and I have to
focus on myself. You cannot
predict anything in tennis, especially women's tennis, but I really want
to see that I'll work really hard to make sure that this is going to
happen."