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 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 stated 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 stated. “First occasions 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 event and it’s important to have enjoyable.
“It’s important to be optimistic, as a result of it is sufficient pressure on court docket. When you’re gonna carry this pressure off court docket, it is simply an excessive amount of.
“So for me, it is the higher approach to type of like loosen up and to maintain it, I do not know, mentally good, it is simply to have enjoyable, in fact.”
Profitable is pure pleasure and Sabalenka has had loads of glad days—in addition to private tragedy, struggling the dying 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.
Right now, Sabalenka improved her clay-court file to 12-3 this season along with her solely losses coming towards world No. 1 Iga Swiatek within the finals at Rome and Madrid and towards Wimbledon winner Marketa Vondrousova within the Stuttgart quarterfinal.
After falling to Swiatek in Rome, Sabalenka stated 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 at this time.”
Requested a couple of potential third straight clay-court closing towards three-time Roland Garros champion Swiatek, Sabalenka stated she’s not trying that far forward, however might be prepared for a rematch.
“I’ve been simply joking type of over there, but when we’ll get to the purpose that we’ve got to play one another right here, then I used to be simply kidding,” Sabalenka stated. “However anyhow, it is a robust battle towards her. Like going to the match, you by no means know the way it’s gonna finish, you understand.
“It is type of like 50/50. It is a robust problem for me, however as I at all times say, robust 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’s miles away from today, you understand. I’m simply making an attempt to deal with every sport. If we get to the purpose, I will strive my finest.”
Photograph credit score: Tim Clayton/Corbis/Getty
