Aryna Sabalenka defeats Sloane Stephens at Roland Garros

Much had been said about the decision to put the round of 16 match between Aryna Sabalenka y Sloane Stephens in the night session, since it was the first women’s match of this Roland Garros that has been disputed in this turn. However, the duel between Grand Slam champions did not disappoint and the spectators of the Philippe Chatrierwho presented a good entry, although not full, enjoyed a duel full of emotions and that could have gone anywhere.

Of course, the Belarusian brought out her best level in the key moments of the match and ended up taking it 7-6(5) and 6-4 in a duel where her best and worst version was seen. Sabalenka made the duel depend on her at all times with her offensive tennis, but she had to put on her work overalls when things did not go her way, which caused her to fall into numerous unforced errors that could have cost her grief. if Stephens had made fewer mistakes in the tiebreak they played.

The first sleeve had everything and was most unpredictable. At the start of the game, only the Belarusian appeared, to whom everything entered and who did what she wanted with Stephens. The American was neither there nor expected and in the blink of an eye Sabalenka dominated 5-0 on the scoreboard and the clash gave the feeling that it was going to close on the fast track, which was also disappointing for the spectators, that they were already going to see a shorter game than those of the men’s sessions.

Instead, when no one expected it, Stephens reacted and the meeting took a radical script twist. Now it was her who got practically everything and Sabalenka who was full of errors and precipitations for wanting to close a set that was becoming more uphill as the American signed up games and raised set balls. In this way and with four balls saved, the American returned the five-game set and equalized the set to force a tiebreak that was unimaginable just 20 minutes before. There, emotions and the fear of failing ruled and the Belarusian knew when to attack and take advantage of her rival’s mistakes, which is why she ended up taking a sleeve that she had to win twice.

WITHOUT WANTING MORE DOUBTS

Once the scare was removed from the body, Sabalenka was once again the one to start the game, although with a better Stephens, who chased the ball from side to side trying to force her rival’s errors, on which the game largely depended. extent, as he managed to take the initiative in most of the exchanges. The confidence that the Minsk player gave the fact of saving the catch of the first set caused her to take the lead very quickly in the second set and practically sealed the match.

However, Stephens had not said his last word and rowed again to rejoin the match and equalize the set at four, although his joy would not last long, because after a 40-0 to make it 5-4, Sabalenka brought out his best tennis and put a break that put him in a position to serve and win the game, something he did in white, for which he chained the last nine points of the game to close it with the best feelings and sign his pass to the quarterfinals, where he already the amazing awaits you Elina Svitolina.