Euphoric since her victory at the Australian Open, the world No.2 Aryna Sabalenka managed a new show of force to dismiss the Greek Maria Sakkari (7th) 6-2, 6-3 and reach the final of the WTA 1000 d ‘Indian Wells, Friday California.
The 24-year-old Belarusian, who is reaching this stage of the event for the first time, will face the Polish world No.1 and defending champion Iga Swiatek or the Kazakh Elena Rybakina (10th).
More aggressive and consistent, Sabalenka controlled the game without batting an eyelid, which started more than half an hour late because the referee’s microphone was not working to make announcements. However, she said she was disturbed by this incident.
“For a second I thought ‘oops, something is wrong today’. Then I thought these things can happen, and that’s okay. I just need to calm down and relax. I’m glad it didn’t really affect my game,” she said at a press conference.
The Belarusian broke three times in the first set, showing no mercy in return on Sakkari’s second balls, with 11 points won from 14 played.
The slugging fight continued with the same results in the second set, Sabalenka continuing to manhandle the 27-year-old Greek, who appeared somewhat borrowed. Perhaps it was due to the fact that she had already spent more than twice as long as her rival on the courts, to reach the last four.
– Maximum confidence –
She, who was aiming for a second consecutive final in the Californian desert, resisted by breaking to come back to 2-2, when she missed an opportunity to resume the service of Sabalenka, somewhat on the back. But the latter is another player now, who no longer cracks so easily at the slightest annoyance.
“In the past I’ve lost so many matches like that, just on some stupid mistakes. I told myself it’s okay to make those mistakes, that I’m not a robot, that I can miss those beatings. That’s how I was able to keep fighting,” she explained.
Sabalenka immediately pulled herself together and was able to rely on a solid first ball to win her bet and then escape for good.
“Maria is a great player, when you play her you know it will be difficult, so I am very happy with this victory,” said the Belarusian.
Since his first major title in January in Melbourne, maximum confidence has lived in Sabalenka, who has lost only one match in 18 played in 2023.
“I feel very good on the court at the moment, but I also understand that it will not always be the same. That’s why I continue to work hard, to make sure that on the days when things are not going well as I wish, there is no problem. But, yes, it’s great to be among the best players,” she said.
She who had never yet passed the 8th in Indian Wells can still confirm this status on Sunday. “This tournament feels like a Grand Slam, I really want to win it,” she concluded.
