By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Friday, January 3, 2024
Photograph credit score: Chris Hyde/Getty
Earlier than enjoying for a Melbourne three-peat, Aryna Sabalenka units her sights on a serious mission in Brisbane.
The world No. 1 goals to avenge her gorgeous 2024 Roland Garros quarterfinal loss to 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva when the pair face off for a spot within the Brisbane remaining.
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“I am tremendous glad to be again in Australia. It actually appears like house,” stated Sabalenka, in search of her second straight Brisbane remaining. “I really like the environment. Would not matter the place you play, Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, it is at all times superb environment. I am actually glad to be again.
“It is nice to begin the season, I imply, enjoying the match earlier than the massive one. I actually hope I can do properly right here and I can come again actually sturdy in Melbourne.”
Theoretically, the blue hard-court ought to assist two-time defending Australian Open champion Sabalenka end factors extra successfully.
On the purple clay of Paris final summer season, the then Thirty eighth-ranked Andreeva Andreeva upset Sabalenka 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-4 to achieve her maiden main semifinal.
What a technique to qualify on your first Grand Slam semi-final 🤯#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/GLSO8LX6tD
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 5, 2024
Sabalenka, who struggled bodily for many of the match with an obvious abdomen concern, appeared on the verge of gritting out the robust victory. But the credit score has to go to Andreeva for holding her floor and never being overwhelmed by the entire second.
Andreeva’s gorgeous upset snapped Sabalenka’s 23-set Grand Slam profitable streak.
This would be the third total assembly between the pair and their first on arduous court docket. Sabalenka has captured 15 of her 17 profession championships on arduous courts, together with three Grand Slam titles.