Aryna Sabalenka and Mirra Andreeva absolutely crushed Iga Swiatek and Paula Badosa in the opening match of the Team Hawks and Team Eagles tie.
On Friday afternoon in Abu Dhabi, the world No. 1 and the rising Russian star dropped just one game en route to sealing a 6-1 win in 25 minutes over the four-time French Open champion and the Spanish former world No. 2.
In the fourth and sixth games, there was deuce – the deciding point had to be played – and unfortunately for Swiatek and Badosa, they lost it both times as Sabalenka and Andreeva earned back-to-back breaks en route to opening a 5-0 lead.
After losing the opening five games, the Pole and the Spaniard routinely served out the sixth game to get on the board but also avoid a bagel.
Iga Swiatek and Paula Badosa© World Tennis League/X – Fair Use
Then in the following game, they even saved a match point to get the game to 40/40 and force a deciding point. But once again, the Belarusian and the Russian were the ones winning that point and that’s how the match ended.
#Badosa & #Swiatek tried but #Andreeva & #Sabalenka aced it again!
One-sided but truly a sight!🎾#WorldTennisLeague #Abudhabi #tennis #TeamHawks #TeamEagles #TheGreatestShowonCourt
— World Tennis League (@TennisWorl76726) December 20, 2024
#Hawks 6#Eagles 1#Sabalenka has proven why she is WTA 1 🤩
— World Tennis League (@TennisWorl76726) December 20, 2024
Sabalenka plays next against Badosa
After meeting in a doubles match, the three-time Grand Slam champion and the 2021 Indian Wells winner – who are best friends on the Tour – will return to the court but this time for a singles match.
Since Team Eagles have opened a 6-1 lead, Badosa will need to come up big in the upcoming clash or otherwise Team Hawks are in danger of being well-behind after the opening two matches.
On the Tour, they have met seven times and Sabalenka leads their head-to-head 5-2. In their last meeting that came during the French Open, the current world No. 1 completed a 7-5 6-1 win.
Tennis World USA