The Madrid Open is the venue where Aryna Sabalenka won the biggest clay court title of her career back in 2021 but the Belarussian says she is now a completely different player.
Sabalenka has already won 26 matches this season, including her latest victory over teenage sensation Mirra Andreeva in Madrid on Monday. The world No.2 dropped just four games en route to a dominant 6-3, 6-1, victory over the Russian 16-year-old who is the youngest player to have ever reached the fourth round of a WTA 1000 event.
Andreeva has broken onto the main stage of women’s tennis in Madrid with a trio of high-profile victories over Leylah Fernandez, Beatriz Haddad Maia and Magda Linette. However, she was unable to trouble a heavy-hitting Sabalenka who won 11 out of the last 13 games played.
“I don’t believe that she had no pressure, and today I felt on the court that she actually had a little pressure,” Sabalenka said of the youngster during her on-court interview. “There’s always pressure on the match court.’
“If she wants to be a top player, there is something to lose. There is always pressure on both of us, and I think she’s had to deal with pressure.” She added.
The confidence in Sabalenka’s game is a stark contrast to 12 months ago when she crashed out in the first round of the tournament. At the time she was struggling for consistency in the sport and her serve was a major issue. Since then, she has improved her game with the help of a data analytics expert and has now reached the quarter-finals or better at every tournament played so far this year. In January she won her maiden Grand Slam title at the Australian Open.
Reflecting on her journey from winning the Madrid Open to where she is now, the Belarussian says her mentality has considerably improved.
“It’s a huge difference, I think I’m just a different person right now and much calmer. I’m able to focus on myself more than before and don’t get distracted because of whatever happens,” she explained.
Next up for Sabalenka will be a clash with Egyptian history maker Mayar Sherif who has become the first player from her country to reach the last eight of a WTA 1000 event. Sherif, who is currently ranked 59th in the world, defeated Belgium’s Elise Mertens 6-4, 0-6, 6-4.
“She’s already beaten a lot of good players and is playing really well on clay. I’m looking forward to this match and I will prepare myself as good as I can.” The second seed commented.
This week Sabalenka is bidding to win her fifth WTA 1000 title.
