Aryna Sabalenka Dismisses Concerns Over Her Serve After Lackluster Win At Australian Open - UBITENNIS

Aryna Sabalenka Dismisses Concerns Over Her Serve After Lackluster Win At Australian Open

By Adam Addicott
3 Min Read
Aryna Sabalenka - Australian Open 2025 - via X @AustralianOpen

Aryna Sabalenka believes there is no need to panic about her serve after she came through a roller-coaster third round battle against Clara Tauson at the Australian Open.

The two-time defending champion was on the court for more than two hours before defeating the Danish world No.42 7-6(5), 6-4. Sabalenka is yet to lose a match in 2025 and is currently on an eight-match winning run. Furthermore, she has won 18 out of 20 matches played on the Rod Laver Arena so far in her career.

Sabalenka’s latest victory was far from perfect with the Belarussian getting broken in all of her first four service games. She won only eight out of 20 points behind her second serve but faired better on her first serve, winning 60% of them. The mixed performance is reminiscent of Sabalenka’s past struggles with this area of her game which she managed to solve with the help of a biomechanics expert.

“After a few games the balls became much heavier and it’s hard to serve aggressive, powerful serves, so you just try to direct the serve somehow and start building the rallies,” The Reuters news agency quoted Sabalenka as saying on Friday whilst speaking to Russian journalists.

“Tauson received it very well and I did too and that’s why it was such a rather unusual match. Thank God that I succeeded in managing the conditions.”

The world No.1 says winning the opening set whilst not serving at her best gave her extra ‘mental strength’ for the remainder of her third round encounter.

Sabalenka has also praised the performance of her rival, who she believes has the ability to become a top 10 player. 22-year-old Tauson has been ranked as high as 33rd in the world and has three WTA titles to her name, including the ASB Classic which she won at the start of this season.

“She’s definitely a top-10 player,” Sabalenka commented. “She played incredible tennis, served well, hit pretty heavy balls.”

“She put me under pressure and played really great tennis under pressure, as well. It was a great level from her.  

“If she’s going to continue working, improving herself, playing the way she played today, she’s going to be there (in the top 10).”

In the last 16, Sabalenka will face Russian rising star Mirra Andreeva, who is the youngest-seeded player in this year’s draw. Andreeva, who is coached by former Wimbledon champion Conchita Martinez, defeated Magda Frech 6-2, 1-6, 6-2, in her latest match.

Sabalenka is required to reach at least the semi-final of the Australian Open to have a chance of keeping her No.1 status. If she doesn’t, Iga Swiatek will return to the top of the rankings when the tournament ends.

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