By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Tuesday, Could 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 into the primary girl 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 instances after 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 match and it’s a must to have enjoyable.
“You need to be optimistic, as a result of it is sufficient stress on court docket. Should you’re gonna carry this stress 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 blissful 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.
As we speak, Sabalenka improved her clay-court document to 12-3 this season along 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 making an attempt to do higher than as we speak.”
Requested a few doable third straight clay-court closing in opposition to three-time Roland Garros champion Swiatek, Sabalenka mentioned she’s not wanting that far forward, however will probably be prepared for a rematch.
“I’ve been simply joking sort of over there, but when we will get to the purpose that we have now to play one another right here, then I used to be simply kidding,” Sabalenka mentioned. “However anyhow, 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 realize.
“It is sort of like 50/50. It is a powerful problem for me, however as I all the time say, powerful challenges, I prefer it. I am prepared to simply accept that and I am able to do my finest to get that win. However, I imply, it’s miles away from this present day, you realize. I’m simply making an attempt to concentrate on every sport. If we get to the purpose, I am going to attempt my finest.”
Photograph credit score: Tim Clayton/Corbis/Getty
