A defiant Ayna Sabalenkla believes her latest win at Wimbledon illustrates her ability to fight through tough situations after narrowly avoiding being taken to three sets by McCartney Kessler.
The world No. 1 saw off the American 6-1, 7-6(9), in what was a match of two halves. Sasbalenka stormed through the opener in just over half an hour before becoming unstuck. After getting broken halfway through the second set to go down 2-5, Sabalenka saved two set points as she clawed her way back to draw level. Then, in the tiebreaker, she was forced to save two more set points. To add to the drama, she also failed to convert two match points before triumphing on her third.
“Today showed that I’m ready to bring the fight more whenever it’s needed,” Sabaslenka said afterwards.
“Sometimes I really enjoy tough fights when I have to really overcome something because she played incredibly.
“She really stepped up and she really forced me to raise my level. I’m happy that I was able to pass this test.”
Kessler was undoubtedly more problematic for Sabalenka than her previous opponent at the Grand Slam – 19-year-old Serbian qualifier Teodora Kostovic, whom she dropped five games against. Although there are also some positives to being tested earlier in tournaments.
“I never heard anyone complain about winning 6-Love, 6-Love but I also think sometimes to be tested in early stages is also really helpful,” Sabalenka explains.
The challenges will keep coming for the 28-year-old, who is yet to reach the final at SW19 but is a three-time semi-finalist. She will next play former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko, who thrashed Antonia Ruzic 6-2, 6-0 in her latest match. Sabalenka leads their head-to-head 3-1.
Sabalenka is making her seventh appearance at Wimbledon. She has now won 38 consecutive matches against players ranked outside the top 50 at Grand Slam tournaments.
