LONDON: Aryna Sabalenka is just three wins away from making one of her dreams come true at Wimbledon.
The world No.1 is already a three-time Grand Slam winner but admits triumphing at SW19 would be something very different for the Belarusian. Despite her calibre, Sabalenka is yet to reach a final at the tournament with her best run being to the last four in 2021 and 2023.
Nevertheless, Sabalenka is gaining in momentum and is yet to drop a set. Her latest win was over a tricky Elise Mertens, who pushed the top seed to her limits at times. However, it was Sabalenka’s firepower that gave her the edge, as well as the British crowd.
“I definitely felt all the support. It was so amazing playing and feeling the support,” Sabalenka told reporters on Sunday.
“I didn’t have to pretend that they were cheering for me because they were really cheering for me. What can be better than that? I really enjoyed that.
“I really hope that it can stay the same all the way and they are going to help me energy-wise to stay strong and to face all of the challenges.”
In a tournament full of upsets, Sabalenka is the only top-six seed remaining in the draw and one of two players who have previously won a Grand Slam title. The other is Iga Swiatek, who plays her fourth round match on Monday. On paper, things are looking good for Sabalenka and her goals.
“I think we all dream the same: holding the trophy, that winning moment. It’s always been my dream,” she said of potentially winning Wimbledon.
“I haven’t achieved it yet. I had a lot of disappointments here. So I really hope that one day I can experience that and we can talk about if it’s the same as I dreamed.”
A stat that illustrates Sabalenka’s ability to prevail in the clutch moments is that she has won 14 tiebreakers in a row, of which three were played in this year’s draw. Something she puts down to focus and aggression.
“Tiebreak is a tricky game. Everything can just go one way or another,” she commented.
“You just have to be focused on each point and be aggressive. Not to slow down your arms, just go for your motions. Play as it’s just a game and stay aggressive.”
Sabalenka will next play Laura Siegemund, who has already made some history at the tournament.
