Sublime Sabalenka offers Open Warning as she rolls past Shelby
Aryna Sabalenka proved why she is a serious contender at the Australian Open by advancing to the third round, her 12 month-old serving woes now firmly behind her.
In an hour and 27 min, the Belarusian beat 51st-ranked American Shelby Rogers by 6-3, 6-1 on Rod Laver Arena.
Sabalenka, who reached semi-finals of the US Open last season, has extended her 2023 unbeaten streak to six matches.
This contrasts with last season’s start, when her serve was totally gone. She was reduced to tears at an Australian Open warmup event and her confidence rocked to the core.
Sabalenka had three aces against Rogers, but no double faults. She spoke openly about how hard it was to turn her fortunes around.
“I put a lot of effort into my serve. She said that it was impossible to imagine.
“Oh my God! I thought everything I could to fix my serve. We tried different techniques, mental stuff, and technical things throughout the year, trying to breath differently.
“I was watching lots of videos of my serve. We just started working with a biomechanics guy at the close of last year.
“I’m super happy right now, everything is working.”
Sabalenka had previously clashed with Shelby twice, both last year. The Belarusian edged each — the most recent being a three-set 2hr 35min epic on Cincinnati’s hard courts.
Sabalenka, fifth seed, said that Sabalenka is a “great player” and was always tough against her.
“I had high expectations of her. This is why I told myself to remain focused from the beginning until the end. Probably that’s how I was able win this one in 2 sets.
In a 54-minute opening set, there was nothing between them again on Thursday. They were separated by a pivotal eighth match.
– Avalanche Of Winners –
After Shelby’s serve, it was five deuces. Then came a rasping crosscourt forehand with a “Come on!” scream. Sabalenka brought up the third break point.
She converted for a 5-3-2 lead and gave the set to her lover.
Sabalenka maintained the pressure on Shelby’s serves at the start the second set and broke for a 2-1 lead.
The Belarusian was now on the offensive, peppering Shelby in an avalanche with winners off both wings — at times hitting six in succession in her total of 32 matches.
Sabalenka admitted that she didn’t try to be all the winners, but will admit that it was not something she wanted.
“I was just picking out the target, and I was like, OK, let’s go there. That’s it.”
She was able to power surge twice more and break the contest.
She hopes to reach the 16th round of the Australian Open. Next, she will play Elise Mertens 26th seed from Belgium. Elise beat Lauren Davis 6-4 and 6-3.
Sabalenka said, “I’ve played many matches against Mertens, and I always had tough fights.”
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