By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Tuesday, Might 28, 2024
Sightlines on Roland Garros grounds have not modified.
Aryna Sabalenka says she’s bringing a special perspective to this French Open.
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World No. 2 Sabalenka swept Erika Andreeva 6-1, 6-2 to cost into the Roland Garros second spherical.
Launching her quest to turn out to be the primary lady since Serena Williams in 2015 to seize the Australian Open and French Open in succession, Sabalenka commanded the middle of the court docket changing 5 of six break factors in a 68-minute thrashing.
Afterward, Sabalenka mentioned she sees Paris because the Metropolis of Lighten Up.
Asserting she performs her finest when she’s relaxed, the emotive Sabalenka goals to plug into the ability of positivity a 12 months after her run to the Roland Garros semifinals.
“I believe it is all comes with expertise,” Sabalenka mentioned. “First occasions once I was coming right here, I used to be so tight, I used to be so intense as a result of it is a Grand Slam, and with the years you notice that is simply one other event and you need to have enjoyable.
“You must be constructive, as a result of it is sufficient rigidity on court docket. If you happen to’re gonna carry this rigidity off court docket, it is simply an excessive amount of.
“So for me, it is the higher strategy to sort of like loosen up and to maintain it, I do not know, mentally good, it is simply to have enjoyable, after all.”
Successful is pure pleasure and Sabalenka has had loads of comfortable days—in addition to private tragedy, struggling the demise of her ex-boyfriend in Miami in March—in an eventful 12 months.
Nonetheless, Sabalenka brings her finest within the Slams.
The 2-time Australian Open champion has contested semifinals or higher in her final six Grand Slam appearances.
In the present day, Sabalenka improved her clay-court file to 12-3 this season together with her solely losses coming in opposition to world No. 1 Iga Swiatek within the finals at Rome and Madrid and in opposition to Wimbledon winner Marketa Vondrousova within the Stuttgart quarterfinal.
After falling to Swiatek in Rome, Sabalenka mentioned on court docket: “I hope we’re gonna make it to the finals at Roland Garros and I’m gonna get you there.
“Simply kidding—simply attempting to do higher than right now.”
Requested a couple of attainable third straight clay-court closing in opposition to three-time Roland Garros champion Swiatek, Sabalenka mentioned she’s not wanting that far forward, however can be prepared for a rematch.
“I’ve been simply joking sort of over there, but when we will get to the purpose that we’ve got to play one another right here, then I used to be simply kidding,” Sabalenka mentioned. “However in any case, it is a powerful battle in opposition to her. Like going to the match, you by no means know the way it’s gonna finish, you understand.
“It is sort of like 50/50. It is a powerful problem for me, however as I at all times say, powerful challenges, I prefer it. I am prepared to just accept that and I am able to do my finest to get that win. However, I imply, it is away from at the present time, you understand. I’m simply attempting to concentrate on every sport. If we get to the purpose, I will attempt my finest.”
Photograph credit score: Tim Clayton/Corbis/Getty
