BRISBANE:
World primary Aryna Sabalenka stated she nonetheless had room for enchancment after a second dominant win within the Brisbane Worldwide on Thursday.
Sabalenka was pushed at occasions by 36-year-old Sorana Cirstea, however was by no means actually troubled by the Romanian as she notched a 6-3, 6-3 win in 70 minutes.
The Belarusian will subsequent play both 21-year-old Russian Diana Shnaider or Madison Keys, the American who beat Sabalenka in final 12 months’s Australian Open last.
Sabalenka stated she aimed to get higher as she targets a 3rd Australian Open title in 4 years when the primary Grand Slam of the 12 months begins in Melbourne on January 18.
“I feel there’s all the time room to enhance, and I am positively not at my peak,” Sabalenka stated.
“In fact I desire to win each match 6-0, 6-0, like everybody most likely prefers, however on the finish of the day you solely get higher when somebody pushes you and you need to cope with moments below strain.”
Sabalenka stated tournaments akin to Brisbane, which options seven of the highest 10 ladies, have been good preparation for a Grand Slam.
“I feel by bringing and having seven high gamers within the draw, it positively helps to organize higher for the Australian Open,” she stated.
“I feel it is vital to have high quality matches earlier than heading to the massive occasion, simply so that you’re making ready your self mentally for fights, for battles.
“And enjoying towards high gamers is certainly an enormous assist heading into the Grand Slam match.”
One other of the highest names is former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, who additionally reached the quarter-finals with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Spain’s Paula Badosa.
World quantity 5 Rybakina took management at 3-3 within the first set, successful 9 of the following 11 video games to seal victory.
“It is all the time a troublesome battle towards Paula, she has nice pictures, performs actually quick and has an ideal serve,” Kazakhstan’s Rybakina stated.
“I’ve plenty of issues to work on for my subsequent match however hopefully it’ll be higher.”
