Aryna Sabalenka saw off Mirra Andreeva with just five lost games 6-3 6-2 to reach the Brisbane International final but it wasn’t as easy for the Belarusian as the scoreline might suggest.
For the majority of the first set, it was the 17-year-old who was applying pressure.
But unfortunately for the rising Russian tennis star, she missed out on three break points in the first game and also another one in the seventh game.
After saving multiple break points, Sabalenka earned the first break of the match in the eighth game for a 5-3 lead.
Even then, Andreeva had a chance to get back into the first set but she didn’t convert another break point.
The second set was more or less a similar story – the 16th-ranked Russian had her chances but failed to convert a total of three break points across the second and fourth games.
On the other side, Sabalenka converted her opportunities as she broke the 17-year-old in the third and seventh games to complete a two-set win.
For the title at the WTA 500 tournament in Brisbane, the world No. 1 will battle against qualifier world No. 107 Polina Kudermetova.
Aryna Sabalenka© Brisbane International/X – Fair Use
Sabalenka’s reaction to beating Andreeva
“It’s always the same tactic for me: stay aggressive and put my opponent under so much pressure. I’m really glad that against Mirra I was able to play such aggressive tennis. Seems like everything was working really well for me,” the Belarusian said.
“She’s an amazing, young player. I’m pretty sure she’s going to be Top 10 soon and for so long.”
Now, she is set for a final matchup in which she will be the heavy favorite.
So far, Kudermetova has won seven matches in Brisbane – two qualifying and five main draw clashes.
This will be the first meeting between Sabalenka and the 21-year-old Russian.
Tennis World USA