Written by Richard Pagliaro | @Itenisi_Manje | Saturday, May 18, 2024
World No. 1 Iga Swiatek it swept continuously No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka for his third Roman crown.
That didn’t stop Sabalenka from getting to the point.
More: Swiatek Sweeps Sabalenka In Roman Third Crown
Four games into the final, Sabalenka slammed her Wilson Blade into the red wall in frustration.
On this day, Sabalenka broke the stick, but failed to break Swiatek, who saved the seven break points he was facing.
Reigning Roland Garros champion Swiatek claimed his 12th victory, while Sabalenka left Rome with a vow.
“I hope we reach the finals at Roland Garros and I will take you there,” Sabalenka told Swiatek afterwards.
Four-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek improved to 8-3 lifetime against Sabalenka with her ninth straight final win.
Still, Sabalenka, who played at fullback, said he was confident he could go deep in Paris.
“I love Roland Garros. I did well last year there,” said 2023 Roland Garros semifinalist Sabalenka. “I’m very happy to go there. Even though I lost in these two finals, I mean I don’t dwell on the past.
“No matter how many times I lose to a player, I know if I’m going to be there, if I’m going to fight, I’m going to be focused on myself, I know I can get that win. I mean, I’m going there I’m sure I can do well there.”
The question is: Can Sabalenka stop Swiatek, who improved to 77-10 lifetime on clay, including a 14-1 mark on the wall this season?
“I want to thank my team for helping me lose another final. It’s only your fault” 😂@SabalenkaA | #IBI24 pic.twitter.com/Bju63Ln7QI
— wta (@WTA) May 18, 2024
Sabalenka can take confidence from the fact that she is the last woman to beat Swiatek in the final, at the 2023 Mutua Madrid Open. Sabalenka has been on a roll at the Slams, reaching three major finals in her last five Grand Slam appearances.
While pointing to Swiatek, who joined Dinara Safina and Serena Williams as the third woman to complete the Madrid-Rome Dirty Double sweep, as the clear favorite for Paris, Sabalenka said she is confident she can make another Roland Garros run.
“I’m definitely not the favorite I am. But at the same time I feel that I can do that,” Sabalenka said. “It’s 50/50, you know? But I prefer to be less (smiling).
“Yes, I hope to get to the final and hopefully I can get that success, if it’s Iga or not. It’s an amazing tournament. A Grand Slam. I’ll just win, go there and fight for all the points and see what happens after the tournament.”
Image credit: Getty
