World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka survived a nail-biting encounter against Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva, edging through with a hard-fought 7-6(2), 6-4 victory in the Brisbane International. Despite the straight-set scoreline, Sabalenka’s triumph was anything but straightforward, as the Belarusian was pushed to the limit by the feisty world No. 29.
Sabalenka’s escape from the brink in the opening set was the pivotal moment of the match, proving her resilience and championship mettle. With this win, she evened her head-to-head record with Putintseva at 1-1, avenging a loss at the 2019 US Open.
First Set Drama: Sabalenka Saves the Day
Putintseva seemed poised to cause a major upset when she broke Sabalenka’s serve in the seventh game and raced to a 5-3 lead. Serving for the set, Putintseva built a commanding 30-0 advantage, just two points away from taking the opener. However, nerves crept in, leading to a string of errors that opened the door for Sabalenka.
The Belarusian capitalized, breaking back after a prolonged game and forcing a tiebreak. Although Putintseva initially led 2-1 in the tiebreak, Sabalenka unleashed her powerful groundstrokes to reel off six consecutive points and clinch the set 7-6(2).
Second Set: Sabalenka Gains Control
Riding the momentum from her escape in the first set, Sabalenka struck immediately in the second, breaking Putintseva in the opening game. With a set and a break advantage, the three-time Grand Slam champion displayed her composure, holding serve with authority to close out the match in just under two hours.
Next Challenge: Bouzkova Awaits
Sabalenka’s reward for her gritty performance is a quarterfinal clash against world No. 44 Marie Bouzkova. The Czech player upset Sabalenka in the Washington semifinals earlier this year, adding intrigue to their upcoming matchup. The Belarusian will aim to continue her winning run and solidify her position as the tournament favorite.
Sabalenka’s Takeaway: Resilience in the Spotlight
While Sabalenka emerged victorious, the match highlighted areas for improvement, particularly in her ability to start strong against aggressive opponents. However, her ability to stay composed under pressure remains her defining trait, one that could carry her deep into the Brisbane draw and beyond.
As Sabalenka prepares for her next match, fans and analysts alike will keep a keen eye on whether she can maintain her form and fend off another upset bid in this highly competitive field.