Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka reached the Indian Wells quarter-finals for the primary time on Tuesday, persevering with her sturdy 2023 marketing campaign with a battling 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 victory over Barbora Krejcikova.
Czech Krejcikova was the lady who ended Sabalenka’s excellent 2023 run with a victory over the Belarusian within the quarter-finals at Dubai final month.
She had an opportunity to increase the match, however Sabalenka saved a break level within the closing recreation and closed it out.
“It is all the time powerful matches towards Barbora,” Sabalenka stated. “She performed unbelievable tennis. I am simply tremendous proud of this win.”
There’s been no let-down for the 24-year-old since she claimed her first Grand Slam title in Melbourne.
She admitted she was a bit shocked by all of the hoopla that attended the victory — reminiscent of a photograph shoot with the trophy on a gondola in Melbourne — however determined to simply go along with it.
“I felt actually bizarre,” she stated. “It was identical to a lot consideration to me (however) I used to be considering ‘OK, I received my first Grand Slam, let’s simply take all of it in.'”
She has now reached two quarter-finals since then, and stated not profitable a serious till she was 24 could have helped her hold her ft on the bottom.
“I am actually glad that I received my first Grand Slam on this age, as a result of I felt like if I might be 18 years previous to win the Grand Slam, then I might be struggling for years,” she stated.
“I perceive that, yeah, that is occurred, and that was my dream. It was a tremendous second however time to maneuver on. It wasn’t the one one purpose.”
World quantity two Sabalenka has made no secret of the truth that she’d prefer to overtake Iga Swiatek atop the world rankings.
Swiatek, winner of the French and US Opens final yr, is secure on the summit via Indian Wells and the Miami Open that follows, however Sabalenka is hoping to maintain the strain on by profitable.
“I’ve this understanding that it doesn’t matter what, I’ve to maintain going, hold preventing,” she stated.
She’ll combat for a semi-final berth towards sixth-seeded American Coco Gauff, who rallied within the third set for a 6-3, 1-6, 6-4 victory over Swedish qualifier Rebecca Peterson.
“Taking part in-wise, clearly, there may be a whole lot of issues I can enhance on for the following match,” stated Gauff, who turned 19 on Monday. “Contemplating the circumstances I am joyful to be finished with in the present day.”
No matter Gauff’s struggles on Tuesday, Sabalenka stated she would not be taking {the teenager} calmly.
Gauff has received three of their 4 encounters, most just lately at Toronto final yr.