2023-06-05 00:59:10
Aryna Sabalenka Photo @rolandgarros
“/>
the belarusian Aryna Sabalenka, number two in the women’s ranking, she needed almost two hours to defeat with certain problems due to 7-6 (5) y 6-4 to the american Sloane Stephens, who after a bad start, could complicate, although he could not avoid the outcome.
The match met expectations, although it did not go beyond the second set, as the team wanted. Parisian public.
Sabalenka had beaten Stephens in every previous meeting and he continued that streak.
The start was interesting and each player had their moment. First, the Belarusian walked away 5-0but that was not enough and the first set was resolved in a close tiebreak.
Stephens was able to win the next five games and forced a tiebreaker. The American led in the tiebreak while on top 4-2but relented and the second seed took the opening set by 7-6 (5).
The second heat was less dramatic, and included fewer break points. The first break came in the fifth game, when Sabalenka took the lead, and although Stephens got it back in the eighth game, the Belarusian won nine straight points to clinch the match and a ticket to the quarterfinals, winning by 7-6 (5) and 6-4.
Night shift
Sabalenka and Stephens starred in the first night game of the WTA in Philippe-Chatrier, Center Court of Roland Garros.
During the first seven days of the tournament, all the matches played during the night session were men’s and fans asked the organization for the chance to see the ladies in action.
Against Svitolina
the ukrainian Elina Svitolina, who beat the Russian before Daria Kasatkina by 6-4 y 7-6 (5), will be the next opponent of Aryna Sabalenka in the quarterfinals, where one of the two will access the semifinals.
Svitolina did not wave to Daria Kasatkina, as it did with all its Russian rivals as a result of its stance for the Ukraine-Russia waralthough he raised his thumb as a sign of approval towards his opponent on duty, shortly before reaching the net.
#Sabalenka #beats #Stephens #quarterfinalist #Paris