By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Tuesday, Might 28, 2024
Sightlines on Roland Garros grounds have not modified.
Aryna Sabalenka says she’s bringing a unique perspective to this French Open.
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World No. 2 Sabalenka swept Erika Andreeva 6-1, 6-2 to cost into the Roland Garros second spherical.
Launching her quest to develop into the primary girl since Serena Williams in 2015 to seize the Australian Open and French Open in succession, Sabalenka commanded the middle of the court docket changing 5 of six break factors in a 68-minute thrashing.
Afterward, Sabalenka stated she sees Paris because the Metropolis of Lighten Up.
Asserting she performs her finest when she’s relaxed, the emotive Sabalenka goals to plug into the facility of positivity a 12 months after her run to the Roland Garros semifinals.
“I feel it is all comes with expertise,” Sabalenka stated. “First occasions after I was coming right here, I used to be so tight, I used to be so intense as a result of it is a Grand Slam, and with the years you notice that is simply one other match and you need to have enjoyable.
“You need to be optimistic, as a result of it is sufficient rigidity on court docket. When you’re gonna convey this rigidity off court docket, it is simply an excessive amount of.
“So for me, it is the higher option to sort of like loosen up and to maintain it, I do not know, mentally good, it is simply to have enjoyable, in fact.”
Successful is pure pleasure and Sabalenka has had loads of completely satisfied days—in addition to private tragedy, struggling the loss of life of her ex-boyfriend in Miami in March—in an eventful 12 months.
Nonetheless, Sabalenka brings her finest within the Slams.
The 2-time Australian Open champion has contested semifinals or higher in her final six Grand Slam appearances.
Immediately, Sabalenka improved her clay-court report to 12-3 this season together with her solely losses coming in opposition to world No. 1 Iga Swiatek within the finals at Rome and Madrid and in opposition to Wimbledon winner Marketa Vondrousova within the Stuttgart quarterfinal.
After falling to Swiatek in Rome, Sabalenka stated on court docket: “I hope we’re gonna make it to the finals at Roland Garros and I’m gonna get you there.
“Simply kidding—simply attempting to do higher than at the moment.”
Requested a few potential third straight clay-court closing in opposition to three-time Roland Garros champion Swiatek, Sabalenka stated she’s not wanting that far forward, however might be prepared for a rematch.
“I’ve been simply joking sort of over there, but when we will get to the purpose that we’ve to play one another right here, then I used to be simply kidding,” Sabalenka stated. “However in any case, it is a powerful battle in opposition to her. Like going to the match, you by no means know the way it’s gonna finish, .
“It is sort of like 50/50. It is a powerful problem for me, however as I at all times say, powerful challenges, I prefer it. I am prepared to simply accept that and I am able to do my finest to get that win. However, I imply, it is away from today, . I’m simply attempting to concentrate on every sport. If we get to the purpose, I am going to strive my finest.”
Picture credit score: Tim Clayton/Corbis/Getty