Aryna Sabalenka has criticised the scheduling in Cincinnati after she defeated Ons Jabeur 7-5 6-3 to reach the last four.
Sabalenka is into her eighth semi-final of the season after a dominant performance over the two-time Wimbledon finalist.
The Australian Open champion broke on six occasions against a physically hampered Jabeur as the second seed moved into the final four in Cincinnati for the third time in her career.
However after the match Sabalenka had a lot to say about the schedule with the second seed having to play at night while Carlos Alcaraz was given a 3pm time slot.
This is something that concerned Sabalenka heading into her semi-final on Saturday, “The only thing I was worried is the schedule,” Sabalenka was quoted by tennisuptodate as saying.
“Everyone was complaining about schedule in Montreal. Just the same thing happen here. I was really disappointed. Why they would make this decision… why [Carlos] Alcaraz at 3 pm? I mean, I understand this is Alcaraz, everyone wants to see him play. They put him at 6. I just played the match not before 7. Finish, what, 9?
“I have to play one again tomorrow. I was thinking at least 3 p.m. Just the only thing what makes me worried.”
Sabalenka hasn’t been the only person frustrated with the schedule with the likes of Iga Swiatek and Victoria Azarenka also raising their concerns.
However Sabalenka will have to put those concerns to one side temporarily as she now has her eyes on Karolina Muchova in a rematch of their Roland Garros semi-final, which Muchova won.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s showdown Sabalenka told the WTA website that she feels more confident heading into this clash than she did in Paris, “I actually think this surface is really good for her style of game,” Sabalenka admitted to the WTA website.
“But probably I felt more confidence on the hard court against her. I kind of know her a little bit better. I hope I’m going to take this win back. At least I’ll do everything I can, everything that is in my hands to get this win back.”
The match is the second women’s semi-final and will take place at not before 13:30 local time.
