Aryna Sabalenka’s preperation for the Australian Open has suffered another blow after she crashed out of the Adelaide International 2 on Tuesday.
For the second week in a row the world No.2 significantly struggled with her serve as she fell 5-7, 6-1, 7-5, to Sweden’s Rebecca Peterson. Throughout the match Sabalenka only managed to win 29% of her second service points (13/45) and produced a staggering 21 double faults errors. She also produced more than 50 unforced errors.
During parts of the match Sabalenka struggled to keep the ball in court as her serves went either long or failed to get over the next. Midway through the third set the umpire even checked to see if she was experiencing any kind of physical issue. Something which Sabalenka swiftly dismissed.
“This is my problem, this is my technical problem. I cannot serve, like, better. This is not what you’re thinking about,” she replied.
After being asked if she was ok, the 23-year-old then broke down in tears during her next service game. Afterwards, her opponent Peterson described their encounter as the ‘weirdest’ match she had ever played.
“It was the weirdest match I’ve ever played. It was tough staying in there, I know she was struggling a lot,” said the Swedish qualifier.
“To be in my own world, it was really difficult.
Two-time Grand Slam semi-finalist Sabalenka is yet to win a match this season. Last week in the first Adelaide tournament she fell to Kaja Juvan with her serve also proving problematic. On that occasion she produced 18 double faults during her straight sets loss.
As for Peterson, she will play America’s Maidison Brengle in the second round later this week. Brengle, who has been ranked as high as 35th in the world, defeated Russian qualifier Anastasia Potapova 7-5, 4-6, 6-1.
Also through to the second round is fourth seed Tamara Zidanšek who survived a marathon clash against Heather Watson. The world No.31 was down 1-3 in the final set before fighting back to defeat the Brit 2-6, 6-2, 7-6(4). Finally, seventh seed Liudmila Samsonova beat Egypt’s Mayar Sherif 7-6(2), 6-4.
