ESPNtenis.comReading: 2 min.
Aryna Sabalenka (No. 2 in the WTA ranking) continues to demonstrate its excellent present in the WTA 1000 de Indian Wells: crushed Maria Sakkari (7th) by 6-2 and 6-3 and got into the grand final of the American contest. Now, wait for Elena Rybakina (10th), who beat Iga Swiatek (1st) in the other semi.
This comparison had a particularity and it is that its start took more than 40 minutes, but this was not due to the weather or any physical problem of either of the two players. The reason? There were no balls to warm up and, in addition, there were technical problems with the Hawk’s Eye.
This was the eighth time that the Belarusian and the Greek met at the WTA level: With this victory, Sabalenka stretched the record against Sakkari with five victories against three of his rival.
Without a doubt, Sabalenka is facing the best moment of her career, accompanied by what was her first Grand Slam trophy, the 2023 Australian Open. In addition, in the current season she also lifted the Adelaide I tournament.
The number two in the world, which means her best historical position, has some hellish numbers in the year: 18 games won and only one lost (vs. Barbora Krejcikova en Dubai).
So far, at just 24 years old, the Minsk-born has a total of 12 WTA titles and is going for another crown. No matter what happens, her improvement in the mental part of the game is notorious. In large part this is due to how loose she is after taking off her backpack at the Australian Major.
