Belarus athlete demonstrated solidity and mental strength, especially in the decisive moments of the second set, when he needed eight match points to close the game
The number 1 in the world, confirmed his favoritism on Sunday and secured a place in the quarterfinals of Roland Garros by beating Amanda AniSimova by 2 sets to 0, with 7/5 and 6/3 partials in 1h34min starting. Belarus’s athlete demonstrated solidity and mental strength, especially in the decisive moments of the second set, when she needed eight match points to close the game. Sabalenka had a dominant performance in the withdrawal, recording 11 acesss, against only two from Anici. In addition, the world’s number 1 scored 29 winners and made 22 unnatural errors, while his opponent had 24 winners and 25 unreserved errors
In the first set, Sabalenka broke Anygreva’s withdrawal in the room and even opened 5/2. However, the American reacted and tied on 5/5. Even so, Belarus kept the composure and closed the set in 7/5. On the second set, Sabalenka broke the withdrawal of the opponent again and opened 5/2. AniSimova saved seven match points, but failed to avoid defeat by 6/3. With the victory, Sabalenka advances to the quarterfinals, where he will face Chinese Qinwen Zheng, number 8 of the WTA ranking, who defeated Russian Liudmila Samsonova by 2 sets to 1, with 7/6 (7/5), 1/6 and 6/3 partials.
Who also confirmed presence in the quarterfinals was Iga Swiatk. Current number 5 of the world ranking, the Polish surpassed a tough duel against Elena Rybakina and won by 2 sets to 1, with 1/6, 6/3 and 7/5 partials at 2:32 am. After an unstable start and a disadvantage of 2/0 on the second set, Swiatek showed his mental strength to react with authority and take control of the match. The third set was balanced and decided in the details. Swiatek took a rare opportunity in the penultimate game, broke the cazaque withdrawal and closed the game in the sequence.
With the result, the Polish scattered the direct confrontation with Rybakina, now leading 5-4 in nine meetings. Champion in Paris in the 2020s, 2022, 2023 and 2024, Swiatk reaches his 25th consecutive victory in Roland Garros. In the next phase, he will face Ukrainian Elina Svitolina, 14th in the ranking, which saved three match points before eliminating Italian Jasmine Paolini.
Posted by Luisa Cardoso
*With information from Estadão Content
