Written by Richard Pagliaro | @Itenisi_Manje | Tuesday, May 28, 2024
The visuals on the Roland Garros courts have not changed.
Aryna Sabalenka He says he brings a different perspective to the French Open.
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World No. 2 Sabalenka swept away Erika Andreeva 6-1, 6-2 to advance to the second round of Roland Garros.
She presented her desire to be the first lady from there Serena Williams in 2015 to capture the Australian Open and the French Open respectively, Sabalenka commanded the center court to convert five of six break points in a 68-minute stroke.
After that, Sabalenka said that he sees Paris as the City of Light.
Asserting that she plays best when she’s relaxed, a dejected Sabalenka aims to tap into the energy of positivity a year after her run to the Roland Garros semi-finals.
“I think it all comes down to experience,” said Sabalenka. “The first time when I came here, I was tight, very strong because it’s a Grand Slam, and over the years you realize that this is another tournament and you have to be happy.
“You have to be positive, because the tension is enough in court. If you are going to issue this decision in court, it is very big.
“So for me, it’s a better way to like to release and keep it, I don’t know, it’s good mentally, it’s just fun.”
Winning is pure joy and Sabalenka has had plenty of happy days—and personal tragedy, plagued by the death of her ex-boyfriend in Miami in March—in an eventful year.
Still, Sabalenka brings her best to the Slams.
The two-time Australian Open champion has reached the semifinals or better in his last six Grand Slam appearances.
Today, Sabalenka improved her clay court record to 12-3 this season with her only losses coming against No. 1 Iga Swiatek in the finals in Rome and Madrid and against Wimbledon winner Marketa Vondrousova in the quarterfinals of Stuttgart.
After losing to Swiatek in Rome, Sabalenka said on the court: “I hope we will reach the final of Roland Garros and I will take you there.
“I’m just kidding, trying to do better than today.”
Asked about a third straight clay-court final against three-time Roland Garros champion Swiatek, Sabalenka said she was not looking that far, but would be ready for a rematch.
“I’ve been joking over there, but if we’re going to get to the point where we have to play here, then I’m joking,” Sabalenka said. “But still, it’s a tough fight for me. Like going into a game, you never know how it’s going to end, you know.
“It’s like 50/50. It’s a tough challenge for me, but as I always say, tough challenges, I like them. I’m ready to accept that and I’m ready to do everything I can to get that success. But, I mean, it’s far from this day, you know I try to focus on each game if we come to the point, i will try my best.
Photo credit: Tim Clayton/Corbis/Getty
