Belarus advanced to its first final of the season without conceding sets; ‘I’m sure she’ll be in the top 10 soon’ said the world number 1 about the young 17-year-old promise
The number 1 tennis player in the world, , defeated the 16th in the ranking, , by 2-0, 6/3 and 6/2, this Saturday and advanced to the decision of the WTA in Brisbane. It was the Belarusian’s 40th victory in Australia, including two titles in the first Grand Slam of the season. Sabalenka advanced to her first final of the season without conceding sets. In her campaign she beat Renata Zarazua (75th in the ranking), Yulia Putintseva (29th), Marie Bouzkova (44th), as well as Andreeva. In the semi-final, Sabalenka saved all eight break points she faced to end the 17-year-old’s hopes of an upset.
“It’s always the same tactic: staying aggressive and putting my opponent under a lot of pressure,” Sabalenka said. “I’m very happy to have been able to play such aggressive tennis. It seems like everything was working great for me. She is an incredible young player. I’m sure she’ll be in the top 10 soon and for a long time.” It was the second WTA 500 semifinal for Andreeva, who started the match with great intensity. On Sabalenka’s first serve, she had three break points, but the world number 1 nullified Andreeva’s chances and got the only break of the first set in the eighth game.
With a set lead, Sabalenka loosened up and increased the speed of her moves. The Belarusian broke her rival twice more in the second set to secure the victory. Sabalenka finished with 26 winning balls and 22 unforced errors. In search of her first trophy in 2025, Sabalenka will face Polina Kudermetova, 107th in the world, who at 21 years old went through qualifying to reach her first WTA final. In the main draw, Kudermetova passed the third seed, Daria Kasatkina (ninth in the world), and Ashlyn Krueger (64th) and Anhelina Kalinina (55th).
*With information from Estadão Conteúdo
Published by Matheus Lopes
