Aryna Sabalenka cites motivation from Iga Swiatek after double-bagel victory over Lesia Tsurenko at Australian Open 2024

Aryna Sabalenka attributed her dominant double-bagel victory over Lesia Tsurenko in the third round of the Australian Open to her efforts to keep pace with Iga Swiatek. Sabalenka showcased her exceptional form once again in Melbourne, overwhelming her opponent in a mere 52 minutes with her trademark powerful play. With convincing performances in her previous matches and having lost only six games throughout the tournament, Sabalenka is mounting a formidable defense of her title, which she claimed last year with a final win over Elena Rybakina. Despite Rybakina’s exit in a dramatic match against Anna Blinkova on Thursday, Sabalenka remains a strong contender in Melbourne.

In her post-match comments on the court, Sabalenka remarked, “Last year, Iga won so many sets 6-0, and this is one of the goals – try to get closer to her. Actually, I’m just super happy with the level I’m playing so far, and hopefully, I can just keep going like that, or even better.” Despite facing a break point in the opening game on Rod Laver Arena, the world No. 2 navigated through the challenge, and the match quickly became one-way traffic. The first set concluded with a powerful inside-out forehand, securing a third break against Tsurenko. Sabalenka’s dominance continued in the second set, where she hit 17 groundstroke winners, progressing to the fourth round. Having already secured five bagels in the first month of 2024, compared to six in the entire 2023, Sabalenka is making a concerted effort to emulate Swiatek and reclaim the world No. 1 ranking.

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In the next round, Aryna Sabalenka will face Amanda Anisimova, a 22-year-old who has made a strong return to tennis at this tournament after an eight-month hiatus for mental health reasons. Expressing her thoughts on the upcoming match, Sabalenka commented, “She’s an incredible player, and I’m happy to see her back in tennis. We’ve had many tough battles in our previous matches, and I’m anticipating a great fight.” Anisimova, who defeated Paula Badosa in a compelling match, also returning from an injury layoff, expressed her surprise at how quickly she has regained her form, stating, “It’s quite unbelievable after taking some time off, but I’m really feeling good.”

“The key for me is that I’m finding joy in my time on the court. Stepping back and being at home, taking that break, has allowed me to reset and approach these tournaments with a different perspective. I’m focused on being present and savoring every moment while I’m here.”